Medication Reconciliation

Tips for Patients
Iowa Medication Reconciliation Initiatives
Useful Websites

Background:  Medication reconciliation means double-checking a patient’s list of medicines upon admittance or discharge from a hospital, at a pharmacy when new prescriptions are filled, or when patients are treated at a clinic. Reconciliation is key to reducing medication errors and medication harm by ensuring that medications are not unintentionally changed.  Pharmacists can help to make sure that a patient’s medication list is current and up-to-date.  It is also imperative for patients to understand the importance of maintaining an up-to-date medication list and carrying this list with them at all times.  Pharmacists are ideally suited to provide medication reconciliation services to patients. Ultimately, it is the responsibility of patients to make sure their health care providers know exactly what medicines they are currently taking.

Tips for patients
Pharmacists can educate you about your medications, both prescription and non-prescription.  The American Pharmacists Association, a national professional society of pharmacists, says that every person should be able to answer these questions before taking any new medication.

1. What is the name of the medication and what is it supposed to do?
2. When and how do I take it?
3. How long should I take it?
4. Does this medication contain anything that can cause an allergic reaction?
5. Should I avoid alcohol, any other medicines, foods, and/or activities?
6. Should I expect any side effects?
7. What if I forget to take my medication?
8. Is it safe to become pregnant or to breast-feed while taking this medication?
9. Is there a generic version of the medication that my doctor has prescribed?
10. How should I store my medications?

Ask your pharmacist these questions so that you better understand the medicines you are taking.

Always carry a current list of your medications with you.  To download your own MedCard, click here.

Iowa Medication Reconciliation Initiatives

Know It.  Show It.  Tell It. MedCard Project:

In February 2008, a statewide MedCard initiative – “Know It.  Show It.  Tell It.” – was disseminated to all hospitals, pharmacies, and physician clinics in the state.  The Iowa Healthcare Collaborative (IHC) and IPA, along with the Iowa Medical Society, Iowa Hospital, and Iowa Foundation for Medical Care, developed this program to improve provider/patient communications and also medication safety.  “Know It.  Show It.  Tell It.” is the most aggressive statewide MedCard initiative to date, and it has been funded through a grant from The Wellmark Foundation.  As part of this initiative, all health care providers should educate patients on the importance of keeping their MedCard current.  Pharmacists and other health care providers should ask patients to see their MedCard each time they are hospitalized or a new prescription is filled and to remind patients to “Know It.  Show It.  Tell It.”

• Know It. – Patients should understand the information included on their MedCard

• Show It. – Patients should show their MedCard to all healthcare providers.

• Tell It. – The MedCard should be used to discuss appropriate medication use with patients and help increase patient understanding of their medication regimens.

Know It.  Show It.  Tell It.  Poster

Useful Websites

Know It Show It Tell It - program link  - General link to explain the “Know It. Show It. Tell It.” program.  It also provides a pdf form of the MedCard and gives you an address to contact to get a plastic sleeve to house the MedCard.

ASHP Website : ASHP Medication Reconciliation Tool Kit - This resource center will provide pharmacists with tools, references, and recommendations as well as ideas and examples of success stories and lessons learned.

ASHP Website : Medication Reconciliation Basics – This resource center is also for providers and gives basics for how to start a medication reconciliation program in your area.

ASHP Website : Medication Reconciliation Handbook - Medication Reconciliation Handbook provides step-by-step advice on how to effectively implement a medication reconciliation process, offers strategies for involving leadership, and contains tips on how to educate staff and patients about medication reconciliation.  This is a link to purchase this book.  It is good for providers