MedError

Medications come in different forms.

ISMP Canada received a report where a medication was dispensed to a child that needed to be swallowed whole, when child friendly options for this particular medication exist.

If your child has been prescribed a medication, make sure they are getting it in a format they can take.

For more information on children’s medicine, read this newsletter: https://safemedicationuse.ca/newsletter/newsletter_children_part1.html

👀 Not all eyedrops are the same.

⏰ ISMP Canada received a report where a consumer was prescribed antibiotic eyedrops meant for short-term use, but the patient was not told how long to use it.

👓 Read more about safe use of eye drops in this newsletter:https://mederror.ca/wp-content/uploads/202403NewsletterV15N3-disposal-eye-ear-drops.pdf

💊 Are you allergic to a medication?

Keep yourself safe by carrying a list with you at all times.

Your list should include:
✔️ The name of the medication
✔️ What kind of reaction you had

ISMP Canada received a report where a patient was given a medication they were allergic to, even though their allergy information was already in their hospital record.

🛑 It is important to speak up and share your allergy list every time you get care.

📖 Read more about medication allergies and how to stay safe in this newsletter: https://safemedicationuse.ca/newsletter/medication-allergies.html

❓ not all medications can be split, crushed, or chewed?

received a report from a patient who was given instructions to split a pill in half, even though that type of pill should not be split. 💊

🔎 Read more about medications that should not be split, crushed or chewed:https://www.safemedicationuse.ca/newsletter/downloads/201307NewsletterV4N4NotBeCrushedSplitChewed.pdf