Double-Check Your Meds: A Crucial Reminder for Your Safety

We're sharing a crucial experience today to help keep our community safe and informed. Recently, someone we know was discharged from KDU Hospital. They were given a prescription and medication, with instructions to get further tests done externally.

However, when they went for these external tests, a concerning error came to light: the hospital had accidentally given them someone else's prescription and medication.

This incident serves as a vital reminder that while medical professionals do their best, mistakes can happen. They are human, and errors, though infrequent, are a possibility. 

The purpose of sharing this is not to fault any individual or institution, but purely to raise public awareness. It highlights the critical importance of being vigilant and proactive in your own healthcare.

What You Can Do to Prevent Medication Errors:

Taking a few moments to verify your prescriptions and medications can make a significant difference in preventing potentially harmful errors.

  • Always verify your name and details on any prescription or medication you receive. Ensure it belongs to you and not another patient.
  • Don't hesitate to ask questions if something looks unfamiliar or doesn't match what you discussed with your doctor. Your pharmacist or nurse can clarify any doubts.
  • Double-check the medication name, dosage, and instructions against what you expect to receive. Cross-reference with your discharge summary or what your doctor told you.

Your Health and Safety Are Paramount!

Your well-being is the top priority. By taking these quick checks, you become an active participant in your patient safety. This helps to prevent medical errors and ensures you receive the correct treatment.

Please share this message to help others in our community stay safe and informed! Let's work together to promote medication awareness and patient advocacy.

Call to Action: Don't wait for an error to happen. Start practising these vital checks today and empower yourself with knowledge! If you or a loved one has a similar experience, share it respectfully to raise awareness. What steps do you take to ensure your medication safety?




 

Location: Makumbura, Pannipitiya, Sri Lanka

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