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Health Literacy Power Point Older Adult - Safe Medication Administration

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Microsoft OneDrive - Access files anywhere. Create docs with free Office Online.

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Store photos and docs online. Access them from any PC, Mac or phone. Create and work together on Word, Excel or PowerPoint documents.

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Good resource website for Safe medication use to help prevent harmful effects of medication administration

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SafeMedicationUse.ca - Help Prevent Harmful Medication Incidents

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Help prevent harm from medication incidents. Report Incidents and inform yourself about medication incidents

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Video to educate on safety with medication administration

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Video to educate on safety with medication administration

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Music Medication Medicate Song Medication to Relieve Back Pain Juicy J Medication Medication Commercials Medications in the Body Medication Baby Medications to Avoid Coronary Heart Disease Medication Administration Medication Administration Training MSN Medication Theory of a Dead Medication Errors RN Medication Medications Kadian

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Facts and Figures on mortality and morbidity with unsafe practices

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There is a large and growing body of research addressing medication safety in health care. This literature covers the extent of the problem of medication errors and adverse drug events, the phases of the medication-use process vulnerable to error, and the threats all of this poses for patients.

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Educational programs for health care providers and patients

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With healthcare changing so rapidly, it is often difficult to stay abreast of current safety issues. As a global leader in medication safety education, ISMP provides innovative webinars, symposia, workshops, and custom programs to keep you up to date.

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Adverse Drug Events in Adults | Medication Safety Program | CDC

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A set of guidelines and tips for adults and older adults to avoid or reduce adverse drug events.

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People should use the 5 rights to make sure they take their medication properly

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People should use the 5 rights to make sure they take their medication properly

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Always follow the 5 rights

It is important to follow the rights of patient medication administration (now 8 rights) to keep your patient safe and prevent harm. Nursing medication errors can happen and by following these rights you can help to avoid these errors.

It is important for every nurse to be knowledgeable about the medication being given to the patient. It is not possible for every nurse to know the drug facts on every drug. To be a safe and competent nurse it is important to look up drug information that you are unfamiliar with before you give the medication to the patient. The patient has the right to information on the medication, the right to receive the correct medication, and the right to have a nurse knowledgeable in the medication they are providing.

By looking up information before giving the medication you are confirming the patient is receiving an appropriate drug at the appropriate dose and any anticipated side effects. If the dosing calculations do not apply to the patient (such as a pediatric patient dosing as an adult) call the physician to clarify. As a nurse if you give the medication to the patient in the incorrect dose you can be held responsible for any adverse reactions even if you followed the doctors order.

There are many published nursing drug guides and online resources to obtain this information.

Follow these guidelines for medication administration every time you pass out your patient medications to show that you are a knowledgeable and caring nurse. By attempting to avoid medication errors you are putting your patient's safety first and patient safety is a top priority in nursing.

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5 rights of medication administration: Actually there are more now..

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Always follow the 5 rights It is important to follow the rights of patient medication administration (now 8 rights) to keep your patient safe and prevent harm. Nursing medication errors can happen and by following these rights you can help to avoid these errors.

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Subscribe: FDA Consumer Health Information

Whether you're settling into your sixties or heading into your ninth decade, be careful when taking prescription and over-the-counter medicines, herbal preparations, and supplements. And if you're caring for older loved ones, help them stay safe, too.

Why the special concern? The older you get, the more likely you are to use additional medicines, which can increase the chance of harmful drug effects, including interactions. And, as you age, physical changes can affect the way medicines are handled by your body, leading to potential complications. For instance, your liver and kidneys may not work as well, which affects how a drug breaks down and leaves your body.

"There is no question that physiology changes as we age. Many chronic medical conditions don't even appear until our later years," explains RADM (Ret.) Sandra L. Kweder, M.D., F.A.C.P., a medical officer at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. "It's not that people are falling to pieces; some changes are just part of the normal aging process."

Read on for important safety tips.

1. Take Medicine as Prescribed-with Input from Your Health Care Provider

Take your medicine regularly and according to your health care provider's instructions.

Don't take prescription medications that your health care provider has not prescribed for you. And don't skip doses or stop taking medication without first consulting with your provider. (This holds true even if you're feeling better or if you think the medicine isn't working). And if you're having bothersome side effects or have other questions, talk to your provider.

"Medication can't work unless you take it," Kweder says. "For instance, medications that treat chronic conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes typically only work when taken regularly and as directed. You have to take them continuously to maintain control over your condition."

Dosing for medications is based on clinical trials, which the FDA reviews. "Every medicine is really different and is dosed according to what's been tested," says Kweder, which is one reason why you shouldn't select a dose yourself.

2. Keep a Medication List

Write down what you're taking and keep the list with you. Make sure your medication list is up-to-date, and includes any changes made by your health care provider. Consider giving a copy to a friend or loved one that you trust-important especially in case of emergency and when you're traveling.

Your list should include the medicine's brand name, if applicable, and generic name. Also write down why you're taking each medication, the dosage (for instance, 300 mg), and how often you take it.

3. Be Aware of Potential Drug Interactions and Side Effects

Interactions can occur when:

One drug affects how another drug works;

A medical condition you have makes a certain drug potentially harmful;

An herbal preparation or supplement affects the action of a drug;

A food or non-alcoholic drink reacts with a drug;

An alcoholic drink interacts with a drug.

Your task? Learn about possible interactions and the potential side effects of your medications. You can do this by carefully reading drug facts labels on over-the-counter drugs (OTC) and the information that comes with your prescription medications, and by reviewing any special instructions with your health care provider. For instance, nitroglycerin, which treats angina (chest pain related to heart disease), should not be taken with many erectile dysfunction drugs, including Viagra and Cialis, because serious interactions can occur. Some drugs should not be taken with alcohol, as problems such as loss of coordination, memory problems, sleepiness, and falls can result.

If you're seeing more than one health care provider, tell each one about all medications, herbal preparations, and supplements you take. You also can ask your pharmacist about potential drug interactions and side effects.

Some medications can cause side effects similar to health problems that occur in older adults (such as memory difficulties), so ask your healthcare provider if any new health problems you are experiencing could be due to medications.

4. Review Medications with Your Health Care Provider

Ideally, you should discuss the prescription and over-the-counter medications and dietary supplements that you take with your health care provider at each visit. Do this to confirm if the medications are still necessary and if the supplements are appropriate-and to determine which ones you can stop taking (if any).

If it's not possible to review medications at each visit, schedule at least one review each year.

If a certain medication seems out of your budget, ask your health care provider if there is a less expensive, and still effective, alternative. Also tell your health care provider if you think a medication isn't working well (for example, if a medication is not relieving pain like you think it should).

A medication review with your health care provider can help you avoid drug interactions, reduce your risk for side effects, and lessen costs.

Sometimes, especially if you're seeing multiple providers, certain questions can fall through the cracks, says Kweder. But, she says, there is no such thing as a stupid question about medicine.

"As a society, we have become reliant on pharmaceuticals to help us attain a longer and higher-quality life. It's a wonderful success of Western medicine," she adds. "The goal should be for each of us to access that benefit but respect that medicines are serious business. To get the most out of them, you should take them with great care and according to directions."
Updated: July 25, 2017

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4 Medication Safety Tips for Older Adults

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The older you get, the more likely you are to use additional medicines, which can increase the chance of harmful drug interactions. So consider these safety tips (and share them with your loved ones) when taking prescriptions, over-the-counter medicines, herbal preparations, and supplements.

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Pharmacy recommendations to enhance Safe administration of medications

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Pharmacy recommendations to enhance Safe administration of medications

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Health Literacy Power Point Presentation 2017

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Take your medication improperly and it can kill you

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Take your medication improperly and it can kill you

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Take your medication properly and it will help you feel better

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Take your medication properly and it will help you feel better