Duane Hicks
In an effort to further promote medication recorders first launched earlier this year, Grace Silander, patient safety and risk management co-ordinator for Riverside Health Care Facilities, Inc., challenged town council on Monday to take the “Medication Recorder Challenge.”
Silander presented council with medication recorders and, stressing the importance of having medication information with you at all times, challenged them to be leaders by example and fill out their own recorders.
A team effort between Riverside and the local seniors’ coalition, the free medication recorder is a business card-sized blue folder people can use to keep track of their medications—both prescription and over-the-counter drugs, including vitamins, supplements, and aspirin.
The medication recorder has space for people to list their medication names and strengths, and how often they take them. It also includes space for people to list any drug allergies they have and any medical conditions they are being treated for.
The purpose of the medication record is to help people keep track of their medications given it can be difficult to remember all the names and how often they should be taking them. It keeps all this information in one, convenient location.
Since many people take multiple medications, the recorder helps avoid the risk of mixing them up—something which could have very serious consequences.
Those who use a medication recorder must keep it current—updating it whenever they start, stop, or otherwise change their medications, Silander stressed.
The recorder also gives people’s doctors and pharmacists a better idea of their medical histories, and help them review medications for potential interactions that could affect their health.
This information also could be crucial in helping paramedics and nurses tend to a patient in an emergency.
People are encouraged to have the recorders with them at all times, whether they’re going to a medical appointment, getting medication from their pharmacist, or in case of an emergency.
Silander pointed out the recorders are useful even to those who don’t normally take prescription drugs. For example, it’s important for people to make note of any daily vitamins they take which can interact with antibiotics or drugs administered in an emergency.
While other programs are similar, such as the “Vial of Life,” which keeps all of a person’s medication information in a plastic vial in their home so emergency personnel easily can find it, Silander noted the main difference is the medication recorder is not kept in the home but is with the individual at all times—that’s why it’s small enough for men to slip into their wallets.
The recorders are available at hospitals, clinics, dentist offices, First Nations’ health access centres, and pharmacies across Rainy River District.
Those wanting more information about the medication they are taking are encouraged to ask their pharmacist for assistance, said Silander, noting the province now provides funding for pharmacists to set aside time to meet with their clients and do so.
Silander made the presentation to council at the request of Coun. John Albanese, who had an experience that opened his eyes to the importance of having one’s medical information on hand at all times.
Coun. Albanese recalled he was attending a conference in Niagara Falls when a friend of his had a stroke.
“The gentleman had no recorder or medication chart on him, and I was scrambling, trying to find out what medication he was on because the doctor wanted to administer the ‘clot buster,’” noted Coun. Albanese. “The ‘clot buster’ is a very dangerous medication to get if you take medication that could react with the ‘clot buster.’
“We called his wife, his wife kindly said, ‘What options do we have?’” Coun. Albanese continued. “I told the doctor to do the best you can.”
His friend was treated, but Coun. Albanese said he made it a point to explain to his friend afterwards that he should carry a medication recorder, like the Riverside-issued one Coun. Albanese had in his own pocket.
“He’s very fortunate. He’s doing very well,” he noted.
Coun. Sharon Tibbs said she already had picked up a medication recorder at a health symposium earlier this year.
“I thought, ‘What a terrific idea.’ We’ve had occasion to use these in our family, Grace,” she told Silander.
Coun. Tibbs said she keeps one in her wallet next to her health card, but noted it does not hurt to have a second medication recorder to keep with your passport when you travel—after all, if you’re in an accident, authorities often are more likely to look at one’s passport before their health card, especially in countries without universal health care.
