The message to our patients is simple yet vital: Your medications matter.
To mark Canadian Patient Safety Week (Oct. 27-31), the Niagara Health System has launched a campaign to remind patients about the importance of bringing a list of their medications when visiting one of our sites, whether it’s for a scheduled appointment or a visit to one of our emergency departments or urgent care centres.
“The NHS supports patients partnering in their own safety,” says Alicia Niven, NHS Regional Medication Safety Pharmacist. “We are committed to providing you with the absolute best and safest care we can. Having an accurate list of your medications and other key information is important. So tell us what you are taking and let us do the rest.”
A recent review of patients visiting NHS Emergency Departments in Welland, Niagara Falls and St. Catharines showed that only 30 per cent of them brought their medication list to the hospital.
As part of the Your Medications Matter initiative, the NHS now has a print-friendly medication brochure on its website (http://www.niagarahealth.on.ca/site/patients-visitors-general-information) that allows patients to write out their medication list, along with other vital information such as who prescribed the medication and how often it is taken.
“Keeping an up to date list of medications with you provides important information for your healthcare team, and it improves patient safety,” says Ms. Niven. “If someone has questions or needs help filling out the form, they are encouraged to review the information with their community pharmacist.”
WHAT IS CONSIDERED MEDICATION:
Prescriptions
Over-the-counter medications
Natural health products
Media contact: Steven Gallagher, Communications Specialist, 905-378-4647,
ext. 43879; steven.gallagher@niagarahealth.on.ca
