Pharmacy Department At "Tawam Hospital" Presents 8th Annual Medication Safety Awareness Week
"Our Patients-Our Partners: One Team, One Goal"
“Tawam Hospital”, in affiliation with “Johns Hopkins Medicine”, hosted the 8th Annual Medication Safety Awareness Week, starting from Sunday, March 3rd to Thursday, March 7th, in the main building of the hospital. This event has been organized by the Department of Pharmacy at the hospital in order to spread awareness and raise the level of knowledge among the public, and instruct patients on how to use medications properly to keep them safe and protect them from any side effects. This event has met their audience satisfaction.
Dr. Hashem Tarifi, the head of pharmacy, and other specialists gave presentations about the best ways of using medications and prevention methods such as, following the doctor’s instructions in using the medication in terms of dosage and timing, checking out the expiration date of the medication, keeping medications out of the reach of children and other medical instructions.
Dr. Tarifi mentioned that 50% of patients use medications inappropriately, which can negatively impact the targeted therapeutic outcome. He also pointed out that 7% of patients visiting emergency and accident department have problems related to medications adverse events. He emphasizes “Patients must take the medication according to the doctor’s and pharmacist’s instructions”. In addition, he advises the patients not to stop taking prescribed medications on their own when they feel better or taking old medicines without consulting their doctor”
He gave tips on how to avoid the medications errors by advising patients to ensure that their doctor knows about any medicinal allergies and adverse reactions the patients might have. In addition, the doctor should encourage his patients to ask questions about the best way to take their medications, and the expected side effects of such medications.
The head of pharmacy department talked about the safe use of herbal medications and dietary supplements, “Remember that the term natural does not necessarily mean safe”. There are so many herbal medications that interact with prescription medications such as anticoagulants. Such herbs may decrease or augment the desired effect of the prescribed medications and consequently affect the treatment plan negatively. If you are taking a prescription medication, do not take any herbal remedies or dietary supplements without telling your doctor “he said.
At the end of the presentation he gave some general advice under the title of “Do’s and Don’ts”, such as keeping the medications in the container labeled for it; don’t store your medications in locations that are either too hot or too cold, for example the bathroom cabinet may not be the best place for your medication. He advised the patients to take the list and medication bottles with them on doctor’s visit or emergency department’s visits and not to use use medications prescribed for someone else.
Tawam Hospital is part of the SEHA Health System owned and operated by Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA) which is responsible for the curative activities of all the public hospitals and clinics of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
Tawam Hospital is part of the SEHA Health System owned and operated by Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA) which is responsible for the curative activities of all the public hospitals and clinics of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
Emirate: Abu Dhabi
Date: Mar 11, 2013
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