Medication Safety

Unique Identifiers

Before receiving any treatment or medication, please confirm your name with the care provider and verify the correct treatment, procedure or medication is being dispensed.   The staff member will also verify a second identifier.  This may include; your hospital identification number, date of birth, telephone number, address, etc.

Medication Safety

• Ensure that all of your doctors, nurses and pharmacy staff know about every medication you are taking. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, and dietary supplements such as vitamins and herbs.   This information will be verified with you upon admission in a process called Best Possible Medication History or BPMH.
• Make sure your doctors, nurses and pharmacy staff knows about any allergies and adverse reactions you have had to medications, supplements or food.
• Ask questions if you are unfamiliar with a medication or if it looks different.  Make sure you know what the medication is being used to treat.

Discharge Safety

• Ensure that you have been provided with instructions prior to your departure.  Know when your follow up appointments are, or who you should call to obtain this information.  Ensure that you have prescriptions and devices that you require for a safe transition to your home environment. 
• Ensure that you have a friend/family member available to take you home from the hospital at the planned discharge time.