Medication errors can happen at all stages of medication cycle. Not just health professionals but common man, care givers & patients are vital links in achieving drug safety. This slide set gives an insight into the common medication errors and tips to avoid them

1. Medication Safety: An Awareness
Initiative for General Public
Dr.Lavanya SH,Associate Professor
Dr.Kalpana L, Professor & Head
Dept of Pharmacology,BGSGIMS,Bangalore

2. Medication Safety
Understanding the Rights of Medication Safety
.........To Minimize Errors

3. Are Medications Totally Safe?
 Medicines are like a double edged sword.They can be of
great benefit if used correctly, but can cause harm if used
injudiciously

4. What are Medication Errors?
 Medication error: A serious threat to patient safety
 It is a preventable event
 Causes harm
 Errors can happen when the medication is in the control
of
 Healthcare professional (doctors, nurses,pharmacists)
 Patient or Consumer
Medication safety is
everyone’s responsibility
Ref: https://www.fda.gov/drugs/information-consumers-and-patients-drugs

5. Did You Know?
 Patients/ Consumers: Are a Vital
link in Medication use cycle
Informed patients can
intercept 3% of
medication errors
Ref: Medication Safety Curriculum Guide; WHO 2019

6. Tips for Preventing Medication Errors: Know
 Know your Illness &Your Medications
•Keep a list of your medicines
•Know how your medicine
looks like (colour, shape & size)
•Know how & where to store
them
•Know proper disposal
No one knows you better than yourself

7. Tips for Preventing Medication Errors: Inform
 Your Doctor:
All diseases you are suffering from
• Medical Conditions (BP, Diabetes,Asthma)
• Operations you have undergone
Allergies
• Food
• Medicines
Medicines you are taking
• Regular , Self-medications (pain killers)
• Ayurveda, Unani, Homeopathy, Multivitamins/ Herbal

8. Tips for Preventing Medication Errors: Inform
 Your Family:About your Medical Condition &
Prescriptions

9. Tips for Preventing Medication Errors: Ask
 Name & Purpose of Medication
 How to take (Oral/Injection)
 When toTake (Before/After food/ Number of times
 How long to take (Duration)
 When to stop
 Side effects
 What to do if dose is missed
 Food/ Medicines to avoid
 Your Doctor

10. Tips for Preventing Medication Errors: Check
At the
Pharmacy:
For the
correct Meds
as in
prescription
Expiry Date Read the
Drug Leaflets/
Labels

11. Dont’s......
 Sharing is Caring.....But never in case of Medicines
 Do not share your medicines
 Do not use someone else’s medicines
Do not Keep medicines
within the reach of children

12. Dr. Lavanya SH & Dr. Kalpana L
BGS Global Institute of Medical Sciences
Medication Safety Starts With Us!!