Health Care Needs to Remember the Patient for Safe Medication-Use System

Health care professionals must redesign the medication-use system from the patient's perspective, according to a commentary published in the November 1, 2002, issue of the American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy.

Background: The Institute of Medicine (IOM) drew national attention to the topic of medical errors in the inpatient setting, in it's report, "To Err is Human: Building a Safer Health Care System," published 199. In a subsequent report, IOM made the assertion that "health care today harms too frequently and routinely fails to deliver its potential benefits."

In their commentary, the authors suggest ten qualities of an ideal medication-use system designed from a patient's perspective. These qualities address care, concern, convenience, and cost:

1. I will be able to obtain my medication at a convenient location in a timely manner.

2. I will receive the correct medication.

3. My physician and pharmacist understand me as a person, including my attitudes and feelings about medications. I expect that they will treat me with respect and dignity. I need for them to know that there is a limit to the amount of adverse drug effects that I am willing to tolerate.

4. Appropriate consideration will be given to why my insurance company is willing to pay and what I can afford to pay out-of-pocket for my medications.

5. I will receive the medication I need but none that I do not need.

6. The medication prescribed for me will not cause any problem that could have been predicted and prevented.

7. I will receive adequate information about the medication to help me take it safely and appropriately.

8. I will receive my medication in a package that is appropriate for me; I will be able to open the container easily (with minimal instruction), and I will be able to read and understand the label.

9. If I experience any untoward effect from my medication or experience symptoms that I think may be drug related, I will be able to speak with a designated contact person promptly for advice and assistance.

10. Any medication prescribed for me will work as intended.

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AJHP is the official journal of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). The journal is dedicated to the advancement of pharmaceutical care in all components of health systems. The editorial content includes original articles of particular interest to pharmacists practicing in integrated health systems, managed care organizations, home care, ambulatory care settings, and hospitals. The focus is on drug-use control, the role of pharmacists in improving patients' outcomes, and the drug therapeutics information that pharmacists need to perform their clinical roles. AJHP is published 24 times a year and has a total circulation of over 39,000.