Please give any advice

Little Panda RN, ASN, RN · May 4, 2006

Hello, I would appreciate any advice anyone could give me. I am a Medical Assistant. My problem is that when I work pt's up for the provider the pt's can never seem to remember what medicine's they are taking. I review each medicine in detail EVERY time they come into the office to be seen and alot of the time's the pt's either agree's with eveything I call off and then get in room with the doctor and disagree or either they forget all together. Any idea'a on how to take care of this? I am at a lost. Thanks

You can only go by what the patient tells you, but if the patient is unsure of the meds that they are taking, I ask them the name of the pharmacy that they use and then I give them a quick call, to find out the exact names and dosages. I realize that this does not work in every situation.

Our receptionist and appt clerks always ask the patients to bring their medications with to their appointments. Also when I am asking the patient about their medications and if they are not sure of what the medication is I tell them what it is used for and then this sometimes jogs their memory.

GingerSue · May 4, 2006

could you let them know ahead of time that they should bring their bottles of pills with them, so that you can make a list

TazziRN, RN · May 4, 2006

Pts often come to the ER without their meds because it's the last you think about when going to the ER. I tell them and their spouse/child/companion that when they get home they are to write a list of their medications and dosages and keep a copy in their wallet, and the companion is to have one too just in case. Most people follow that instruction and do very well.

Back-up: call their pharmacy.

babynurselsa, RN · May 5, 2006

Your office could provide wallet sized medication cards to your patients to fill out and carry with them.

I set my own parents up with these a few years ago.

We give them in one of the ER's that I work. I frequently do see many patients utilize these. This is after the "We do not have access to "your medical records here at the hospital at 0300" talk.

NrsJena · May 5, 2006

Pts often come to the ER without their meds because it's the last you think about when going to the ER. I tell them and their spouse/child/companion that when they get home they are to write a list of their medications and dosages and keep a copy in their wallet, and the companion is to have one too just in case. Most people follow that instruction and do very well.
Back-up: call their pharmacy.

This works great in Homecare too. Many times- client's have more than one Dr. I advise each of them to keep one list and take with them to EVERY Dr's visit. If changes are made-they are to change the list, right there in the office. Helps keep everyone in the loop

canuckeh! · May 5, 2006

This is another advantage of a publically funded, not for profit, publically administered health care system. We can just log in to the Pharmacare website and look up our patients medications, dosages etc.

LorraineCNA · May 8, 2006

Hello, I would appreciate any advice anyone could give me. I am a Medical Assistant. My problem is that when I work pt's up for the provider the pt's can never seem to remember what medicine's they are taking. I review each medicine in detail EVERY time they come into the office to be seen and alot of the time's the pt's either agree's with eveything I call off and then get in room with the doctor and disagree or either they forget all together. Any idea'a on how to take care of this? I am at a lost. Thanks

Hi there! I'm a CMA in a busy family practice. We always confirm appointments a few days ahead. When we call we remind the pt to bring a list of their current meds along with the dosages. Some still forget but for the most part they're pretty good with it. Some just bring a bag with their meds, either way, it's good.:)

Lorraine

CMA, CNA

sharann, BSN, RN · May 8, 2006

Maybe the doctor should worry about it as well. They need to keep up with these things since it is their practice and ultimately they are accountable. I like the card idea and them bringing in the bottles.

Then you really see what they are taking (and not taking)