Your hospital. Welcome.

Here’s an easy way to save your life: Write a list of the prescription medications, herbal supplements, and vitamins you take, and carry that list with you at all times.

Why should you bother? Some day an emergency department physician may need to make quick decisions about your condition or which drugs to administer. Or your regular doctor might need to prescribe a crucial medication.
Without this important information you could experience serious—even life-threatening—drug interactions or allergic reactions.

In this issue of the Messenger you’ll learn about medication safety and what you can do to be safe. You’ll learn about the problems that could occur when you mix medications, whether you should ever split a pill and if so how, when you should be concerned about a potential reaction, and more.

These precautions apply in your daily life and while you’re in a hospital. You can also use them on behalf of your loved ones. 

Make a commitment to being safe by learning and applying the information you read here, and keep that list with you!