|
|
||||
Pay attention to prescription refill datesA sign in a local store reads: "Don't make your forgetfulness become our emergency." This is one way of looking at how many patients refill their drug prescriptions. It is not uncommon for patients to call their clinic saying "I just took my last pill and I need more by tomorrow.” Or, “I'm leaving on vacation in three days for two months and need more blood pressure pills.” When this happens at New Ulm Medical Center, the staff scrambles to get the patient's needs met. The staff will contact the patient’s primary physician to authorize the refill but if that physician is out of the clinic that particular day then another physician or health care provider is contacted to refill the prescription. This can be a difficult task for that health care provider who doesn't know this patient at all. They will review the patient's medical record including his or her medical problems, recent laboratory work and most recent visits. In some instances, if the refill is a controlled substance which is appropriately being used by the patient, the physician being asked to address the refill for the patient's physician may be uncomfortable in refilling that particular medication. The bottom line is that it benefits both the patient and the clinic when the patient takes responsibility to call in a timely manner for prescription refills. Most people have their vehicle’s oil changed like clock work every three months and know exactly when that work is due – maintaining your own health in terms of taking care of high blood pressure, diabetes or high cholesterol is no different. Often your physician will tell you to "see me in six months or before your prescription(s) run out." The easiest way to remind yourself when your prescription is due is to look at the pill bottle you get with your prescription and when it says "Refills left: 0" call that day to make an appointment with your doctor for a recheck of the health issue at hand or to request further refills, knowing you have one month of pills left before they actually run out. When patients "think ahead" about refilling their prescriptions their healthcare will be better served. |
||||
|
||||
New Ulm Medical Center
|
||||
|
||||
