Nearly every patient who walks through the doors of a CKHS hospital receives some form of medication. The goal of each hospital is to ensure that every patient receives the correct medication, in the correct dosage, at the correct time. Read full article in PDF format.

Medications may be needed to improve my health. By working as a partner with my health care team, I can learn to use these drugs safely. I promise to:

·         Tell all caregivers (doctors, nurses, pharmacists, etc.) about my allergies (food and drug)

·         Learn about all of my drugs including the name, strength or dose, why I am taking the drug and how to take it

·         Tell all physicians when new drugs are ordered for me by another physician

·         Talk with my caregivers about my use of herbal products, vitamins, food supplements, or other over-the-counter drugs I may be taking

·         Identify myself before taking any type of drugs given to me by a nurse, physician, pharmacist or caregiver

·         Question my caregiver about any drug with which I am not familiar

·         Tell my caregivers if I have any problem taking the drug for any reason, including the cost

·         Check with my caregiver before changing the way I take my drugs

·         Faithfully renew my prescriptions on time

·         Never share medications with others, or use drugs belonging to someone else

·         Store drugs properly and safely, away from children and pets

Reprinted with permission from the Health Care Improvement Foundation’s Regional Medication Safety Program for Hospitals, a collaborative of the Delaware Valley Healthcare Council, Institute for Safe Medication Practices, and ECRI.