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they receive about taking their
medications, they accidentally
leave a prescription o of the list of
medications they provide to their
caregivers, or they forget entirely
that they have a new prescription
they need to start taking,” Tondreau
said. “Our nurses act as a safety net
to help catch these errors before they
cause harm.”
Medication management also
entails staying abreast of changes in
patients’ health status and making
suggestions to physicians and
other caregivers.
“We had a patient, for instance,
who was not given a particular
medication in the hospital because
she was in kidney failure,” Tondreau
said. “However, when she got home
and her kidney health improved,
her home care nurse contacted the
patient’s doctor to see if it was time
to get her on the medication.”
Older adults who aren’t under
the care of a home health nurse can
o en nd help with medication
management at the pharmacy where
they have their prescriptions lled,
Tondreau said.
“More and more pharmacies are
o ering programs where they will
help you organize your medications,
schedule re lls and so forth,” she
said. “It’s worth checking with
your pharmacy to see what they
have available.”
*Name has been changed.
medications, incorrect usage or
storage of medications, or potentially
dangerous interactions among
various prescription drugs and/or
supplements (including vitamins and
herbal concoctions).
Safety net
Mismanagement of medications
can put patients at risk for having to
return to the hospital.
“Sometimes patients don’t
understand the instructions
Out with
the old
An important part of good medication
management is getting rid of
prescription and over-the-counter
drugs that are expired or are no
longer needed.
Experts warn against ushing
medications down the toilet or
placing them in the trash—both of
which can harm the environment and
create a health hazard. Furthermore,
leaving them in your home makes
them accessible to family members or
visitors who may take the drugs.
To make the disposal of unwanted
medications easier, a prescription
drug drop-box is located in the front
lobby of the Simi Valley Police Station
at 3901 Alamo St. The box is accessible
24 hours a day.
Pills must be dropped o in a
Ziploc-style bag (no bottles). Liquids,
gels and creams should be left in
their original containers and placed
in a Ziploc-style bag. For more
information, call
805-583-6950
.
The Moorpark Patrol Station,
located at 610 Spring Road, also has
a medication drop-box. It is available
Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.
to 5 p.m. For more information, call
805-532-2700
.
Many communities—including Simi
Valley andMoorpark—also have special
events in which unused and unwanted
prescription medications can be
dropped o . Watch for advertisements
for these events in local media and on
yers posted in the community.
