Patients don’t know their hospital meds

One study found that 96% of patients could not name one or more medicines they were getting in the hospital.  Many patients also assumed they were continuing to get the meds they take at home (such as blood pressure medicine).

The study proposes that patients be given their hospital medication list, so they can compare it with what they take at home and reduce the chance of med errors of omission.  81% of those asked said such a list would improve their satisfaction with their care.  Most patients want to be more involved in their care.

It was a small study, but it might be worth looking at in your practice.  Quality patient education relating to meds can help reduce medication errors.

This study was described on Medline Plus at http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_92859.html

Cumbler, E., Wald, H., & Kutner, J. (2009). Lack of patient knowledge regarding hospital medications. Journal of Hospital Medicine.