Medication Matters
Be part of your healthcare team…it’s a matter of life and health.
Take charge of your health and learn how to use your medicines safely. Work with
your healthcare providers to get answers to your medicine questions.
Take an Active Role in Medication Safety
Each year at least one million Americans are hospitalized with prescription drug complications. As the number of medicines taken increases, so do health problems caused by drug interactions, side effects and improper use.
You and your family can lower the risk of such problems by being involved and informed. Take time to learn about your medicines. Work with your doctor, pharmacist, nurse or other healthcare providers to get the information you need.
Your Medication Matters Card
The enclosed card helps you keep an accurate personal medication record. On it, list your medicine and supplement use. Keep the card updated and always carry it with you. Share it with all healthcare providers when you see them. Download and print your Medication Matters card. Cards are also available at all Avera entities.
Using Your Medication Matters Card
- List everything you take:
• prescription medicines
• over-the-counter products
• dietary supplements
• herbal remedies
• eye drops
• inhalers
- List the purpose of each product.
- Keep your Medication Matters card up to date and carry it with you at all times.
- At your doctor’s office, present the card for updating.
- At the pharmacy, ask your pharmacist to review the card when a new prescription is added.
Medication Safety in the Hospital
- Take your Medication Matters card and all your medicines to the hospital. Your doctors, nurses andpharmacists need to know what you are taking.
- Look at each medicine before taking it. If it does not look like what you usually take, ask why. It might be a generic, or it might be the wrong drug.
- Know what medicines you are allergic to and what reactions you have had, and share this information with care providers.
- With the help of your nurses and pharmacists, update your Medication Matters card before leaving the hospital.
- Ask your hospital pharmacist the same questions listed below in the “Ask Questions About Your Medicines” section.
Ask Questions About Your Medicines
- What is the name of the medicine and what is it supposed to do?
- How and when do I take it?
- How long do I take it?
- What foods, beverages, other medicines or activities should I avoid while taking this medicine?
- Are there any side effects, and what should I do if they occur?
- Is written information available about this medicine?
Reminder: Whenever you add or discontinue a prescription or other medicine, be sure to update your Medication Matterscard.
We Care About Your Health!
Read the label every time and follow instructions carefully.
- Don’t chew, crush or break any capsules or tablets without obtaining your pharmacist’s permission.
- Always take your medicine with 6 to 8 ounces of water unless otherwise directed.
- Use an approved medication measuring device to measure liquid medicines.
- Store medicine out of reach of children, and away from household chemicals.
- Never take someone else’s medicine.
- Do not save leftover medicines.
- Old medications should be crushed and mixed with an undesirable substance such as coffee grounds or kitty litter. Place in a sealed, non descriptive container and dispose of in the trash. These steps should insure that no one will ingest discarded medications.
- Before using any herbal product, educate yourself about it.
