SCHA

YOUR MEDICINES: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW TO SAFELY TAKE MEDICINES AT HOME

Only you, the consumer, know all of the prescription medications you take at home. Only you know what other things you take, such as over-the-counter medicines (aspirin, non-prescription cold medicine) and herbals (ginseng). The healthcare system relies on you to have accurate information about the medication you take at home, yet the majority of people do not keep such a list. Providing an accurate list of your current prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, and herbal supplements to each of your physicians, EMS if you need an ambulance, and hospitals will keep all of your healthcare providers on the same page. When your physicians change your medications, make sure you update your list. Do not hesitate to ask questions about your medications if you are not sure what you should be taking at home.

Many healthcare groups in South Carolina worked together to develop two easy-to-use tools to promote medication safety among consumers. They are not copyrighted, so feel free to use them. You can even add your own logo to them if you want!

To view each section individually, click one of the thumbnails below.

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1. Universal Medical Form (UMF)
English Version(PDF)
Spanish Version(PDF)
English Version (Word)
Spanish Version (Word)

Download this form and save a copy for each family member (mom UMF, dad UMF) and list all of your prescriptions, over-the-counter medicines, and herbal supplements. Keep it updated. Keep it in your wallet and bring it with you whenever you go to a doctor or dentist office, emergency department, or hospital. Ask your healthcare providers to make a copy of it and put it into your healthcare records. Before you leave, ask your nurse, doctor, or pharmacist to help you update your form. Give it to emergency medical workers if you have to call 911. If you cannot keep it updated by computer, call the South Carolina Hospital Association at 803-796-3080 and ask that a blank form be mailed to you. Most hospitals and doctor offices, parish nurses, and health fairs can also provide you with a copy.

2. Patient Medication Brochure
"What You Need to Know about Your Medicine"

Print this trifold brochure for more tips on medication safety and instructions on how to use the Universal Medication Form.

HELPFUL WEBSITES

1. Look up information on your medications: http://www.safemedication.com/
2. General health information http://medlineplus.gov/
3. Every Patient Counts: The South Carolina Partnership to Advance Patient Safety and Quality Healthcare www.everypatient.org
4. Data on health care in South Carolina hospitals: www.MySCHospitals.org
5. Data on South Carolina healthcare services: http://www.ors2.state.sc.us/

Copyright 2008 ViEW Digital Media, LLC

FACTS

60% of patients will have at least one discrepancy in their admission medication history when admitted to a hospital. The Universal Medication Form can help prevent these errors!

12-15% of patients have an adverse drug event within two weeks of discharge from a hospital.

Only 50% of patients take their medications correctly three days after being discharged from a hospital; 30 days after discharge only 30% take their medications correctly.

Medication errors are the 8th leading cause of death in the United States each year.

There are 1.5 million preventable medication errors per year, approximately 6.5 medication errors per 100 hospital admissions.

Two-thirds of all medication errors are preventable.

20% of Medicare patients have five or more chronic illnesses.

20% of Medicare patients see 14 or more different doctors each year.

The average Medicare patient makes 40 doctor office visits each year.

The average Medicare patient is on 9.6 prescription medications.

Almost one-third of the general population takes five or more medications.