Patient Resources
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Downloadable self help documents and articles |
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How To Use Metered-Dose Inhalers |
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How To Use Nose Drops Properly |
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How To Use Ear Drops Properly |
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How To Use Eye Drops Properly |
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Medication Management & Polypharmacy Beer's List (National guideline and reference guide for pharmacists and physicians to improve the use of medication in the elderly) |
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Institute of Medicine (To Err Is Human) |
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Institute of Medicine (Preventing Medication Errors) |
Forms & Articles Require Free Adobe Reader Software - download here if needed
What Can You Do? Be Involved in Your Health Care
Statistics
- Previous studies have estimated the prevalence of potentially inappropriate medication use by the elderly as ranging from 12% to 40%
- 21.3% of individuals aged 65 and older in the United States received at least one of 33 potentially inappropriate medications
- Three in 10 elderly members of HMOs in this sample received a potentially inappropriate medication in 2000–2001
- one-fifth of the approximately 32 million elderly Americans not living in nursing homes in 1996
- 1999 when the Institute of Medicine (IOM) released a report, "To Err is Human: Building a Safer Health System." According to the report, between 44,000 and 98,000 deaths may result each year from medical errors in hospitals alone
The Institute of Medicine Released a landmark paper called To Err is Human (Download PDF) . It was the first study dedicated to looking at adverse medical effects. It subsequently released Preventing Medical Errors. These studies estimate that:
- 380,000- 450,000 medical errors occur in hospitals every year (IOM thinks this is underestimated)
- 800,000 medical errors occur in the long term care setting (Nursing homes, assisted livings)
- 500,000 medical errors are in the outpatient setting (this doesn’t include medications of omission)
- 44,000 – 98,000 deaths occur each year related to medication errors
Treatment complications resulted in
- 116 million additional physicians visits
- 76 million prescriptions
- 17 million emergency department visits
- 8 million hospital admissions
- 3 million long-term care facility admissions
- 200,000 additional deaths
They concluded that there are 1.5 million preventable errors every year in America and they cost Americans between 17-29 billion every year.
The single most important way you can help to prevent errors is to be an active member of your health care team.
That means taking part in every decision about your health care. Research shows that patients who are more involved with their care tend to get better results. Some specific tips, based on the latest scientific evidence about what works best, follow.
Medicines
Make sure that all of your doctors know about everything you are taking. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, and dietary supplements such as vitamins and herbs.
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Make sure your doctor knows about any allergies and adverse reactions you have had to medicines.
This can help you avoid getting a medicine that can harm you.
When your doctor writes you a prescription, make sure you can read it.
If you can't read your doctor's handwriting, your pharmacist might not be able to either.
Ask for information about your medicines in terms you can understand—both when your medicines are prescribed and when you receive them:
- What is the medicine for?
- How am I supposed to take it, and for how long?
- What side effects are likely? What do I do if they occur?
- Is this medicine safe to take with other medicines or dietary supplements I am taking?
- What food, drink, or activities should I avoid while taking this medicine?
When you pick up your medicine from the pharmacy, ask: Is this the medicine that my doctor prescribed?
A study by the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Sciences found that 88 percent of medicine errors involved the wrong drug or the wrong dose.
If you have any questions about the directions on your medicine labels, ask.
Medicine labels can be hard to understand. For example, ask if "four doses daily" means taking a dose every 6 hours around the clock or just during regular waking hours.
Ask your pharmacist for the best device to measure your liquid medicine. Also, ask questions if you're not sure how to use it.
Research shows that many people do not understand the right way to measure liquid medicines. For example, many use household teaspoons, which often do not hold a true teaspoon of liquid. Special devices, like marked syringes, help people to measure the right dose. Being told how to use the devices helps even more.
Ask for written information about the side effects your medicine could cause.
If you know what might happen, you will be better prepared if it does—or, if something unexpected happens instead. That way, you can report the problem right away and get help before it gets worse. A study found that written information about medicines can help patients recognize problem side effects and then give that information to their doctor or pharmacist.
Hospital Stays
If you have a choice, choose a hospital at which many patients have the procedure or surgery you need.
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If you are in a hospital, consider asking all health care workers who have direct contact with you whether they have washed their hands.
Hand washing is an important way to prevent the spread of infections in hospitals. Yet, it is not done regularly or thoroughly enough. A recent study found that when patients checked whether health care workers washed their hands, the workers washed their hands more often and used more soap.
When you are being discharged from the hospital, ask your doctor to explain the treatment plan you will use at home.
This includes learning about your medicines and finding out when you can get back to your regular activities. Research shows that at discharge time, doctors think their patients understand more than they really do about what they should or should not do when they return home.
Surgery
If you are having surgery, make sure that you, your doctor, and your surgeon all agree and are clear on exactly what will be done.
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Other Steps You Can Take
Speak up if you have questions or concerns.
Make sure that someone, such as your personal doctor, is in charge of your care.
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Make sure that all health professionals involved in your care have important health information about you.
Do not assume that everyone knows everything they need to.
Ask a family member or friend to be there with you and to be your advocate (someone who can help get things done and speak up for you if you can't).
Even if you think you don't need help now, you might need it later.
Know that "more" is not always better.
It is a good idea to find out why a test or treatment is needed and how it can help you. You could be better off without it.
If you have a test, don't assume that no news is good news.
Ask about the results.
Learn about your condition and treatments by asking your doctor and nurse and by using other reliable sources.
Benefits
Geriatric Review will allow the consumer to avoid many of the pitfalls of modern medical care. Many patients receive fragmented care between many providers, in different specialties or different states. Most physicians have very little knowledge of geriatrics, which leads to high rates of medical errors in seniors. Geriatric Review will allow a former faculty member of the Division on Aging at Harvard and Harvard trained physician to personally review their medical history for inappropriate medications, polypharmacy, errors of omission, and to compile a complete an accurate medical record report.
Billing Information
Medicine list review includes review and report of current medicines and laminated card.
Summary of Medical records includes a detail synopsis of complete medical history.
Family discount 30% off for 2nd member.
| Packages & Pricing | |
Medicine list review |
$200.00 |
Record synopsis |
$300.00 |
Medication card alone |
$20.00 |
Complete package |
$475.00 (Includes the medication review, summary of medical records and medication card) |
Key chain drive |
$30.00 |
Chart review |
$250/hr |
Yearly update of complete package |
$75.00 |
Expert witness |
$250.00/hr |
Get Started Today
Geriatric Review Benefits
Geriatric Review Home * Florida Travelers & Doctors Review Medical Records & Medication