FORT LEE, Va. (May 14, 2015) -- What is medication reconciliation? It's a process to prevent drug interaction and dosing errors.
One might ask, how is this handled at Kenner Army Health Clinic?
Well, the clinic has a process in place in which a health care provider reviews with patients the medications they are taking. It includes all prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, vitamins and supplements an individual is currently taking along with new medications.
The review makes sure any new medications do not have unsafe interactions with a patient's current medications. During the review, the health care provider also may decide which medication is best in maintaining the person's health. Medication reconciliation should occur at all transition points in care: when a patient receives care in a community setting, visits their family doctor, is admitted to a hospital, is transferred between care settings or is discharged to their home. These transition points are the times when medication errors are most likely to occur. However, these points also provide opportunities to correct discrepancies between what a patient is taking and how they are supposed to be taking it, or to identify interactions between other medications or supplements.
The purpose behind this process is to help beneficiaries become more informed and educated on their role in the medication reconciliation process. It is important both the individual and their health care provider are in complete understanding of all medications taken and the patient leaves the appointment with a completed list. Furthermore, it is important for the patient to keep the list with them to show to other health care providers so a comparison and assessment for any newly prescribed medications can be completed.
This is so important that the Joint Commission, a health care accreditation agency, added it as part of the National Patient Safety Goals in 2005. The commission expects health care providers to have a review process in which medication reconciliation is assessed to reduce medication errors. Part of it includes working with others during changes in care both within and outside of the health care organization, making sure patients are educated on the safe use of medication and communication with other providers.
What is the patients' role in this process? Keep a record of all medications (include creams, outside prescriptions, ointments, patches and medication devices), over-the-counter medications (pain, cold, allergy, and upset stomach medications), herbal (ginseng, omega-3 and glucosamine) and supplements (protein, fat burners, fiber, vitamin energy). Individuals should bring the list to doctor visits and trips to the pharmacy. Update the list as changes are made like discontinuing a prescription or starting a new one. Make note of any specific directions for medications such as food restrictions (take with or without food), frequency and scheduling -- what is taken when, etc. Read the label each time the medication is used to ensure the right drug is taken the right way. When filling the prescription or getting a refill, check the patients name on the label to make sure it is correct and let the pharmacist know if there is a change in the color, size, taste or shape of your medication.
Kenner wants to ensure that everyone's medication reconciliation process is completed to ensure safe care is provided. Medication cards are available at the pharmacy to assist in this process. Questions about medications can be answered by a pharmacist in the pharmacy department, and for more in-depth questions and review, Kenner has a clinical pharmacist who can be seen by appointment.
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