(ARA) - Medication errors occur every day, both in the health care setting and at home. Errors can range from missing a dose to taking the wrong drug and can have any number of side effects. Although no medicine is entirely risk-free, medication errors are easily prevented.

Hospitals take many precautions to avoid medication errors when you are in their care. "Checks are in place at the point when medicine is prescribed, when the prescription order is documented, when the medication is dispensed, and when the prescribed medicine is given to the patient," says Diane Cousins, R.Ph., vice president of the Center for the Advancement of Patient Safety at the United States Pharmacopeia (USP). “The patient is also monitored to assess any response to the medication -- all in an effort to ensure patient safety."

Other steps you can take to help prevent medication errors when in the hospital include:

* State your name before taking any medications and always offer your wrist bracelet for identification. Ask the nurse to identify each medication by name before you take it.

* If your medication has not been given at its regular time during your hospital stay, ask your nurse why.

* Remind your health care provider if you have any allergies to certain medications and food or if you also have a health condition that could affect the use of certain medications.

At home, you should also think about taking medications safely. A free brochure, Think It Through: A Guide to Managing the Benefits and Risks of Medicines is available to help consumers safely use medications.

The brochure outlines the five critical steps in making decisions about medications: Talk, Know, Read, Avoid, and Monitor. These steps can help you decrease the risks and increase the benefits of your medications.

1. Talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care professionals. Keep an up-to-date list of the medicines and dietary supplements you use and always ask questions about any concerns or thoughts you may have.
   
   
2. Know what medicines you are taking, both prescription and over-the-counter. Be aware of when, how, and how long to use them, what to do if you miss a dose, and whether or not there are any side effects.
   
   
3. Read the label and follow directions. Always double-check that you have the right medicine, particularly if you are refilling a prescription, and never combine medicines in the same bottle. Make sure you understand the directions; ask if you have questions or concerns.
   
   
4. Avoid interactions. Before starting any new medicine or dietary supplement, ask if there are possible interactions with what you are currently using. Whenever possible, use the same pharmacy for all your medication needs.
   
   
5. Monitor your medicines' effects -- and the effects of other medications or supplements you use. Pay attention to how you are feeling and write down the changes so that you can remember to tell your doctor or pharmacist.

For a free copy of the Think It Through brochure by mail, contact the Federal Citizen Information Center (FCIC) by writing to:

FCIC, Department 73
Pueblo, CO 81009;

Or by calling (888) 878-3256 and asking for Department 73;
Or visiting www. pueblo.gsa.gov/rc/usp.htm. For more information about USP, visit www.usp.org.

Courtesy of ARA Content