Americans are taking billions of pills and other medications every year. Almost 50% of US adults take at least one prescription medication. And many millions take over the counter medications. We rely on medications to keep us healthy and to cure both serious and minor ailments. In many cases, people would not survive without their […]
Archive | Medications
How to Save Money on Prescription Medications
Prescription medications can be frighteningly expensive, even with insurance coverage. Have you ever suffered sticker shock? It’s happened to me on several occasions, including a co-pay of $450 for a medication we didn’t even end up using! These high prescription medication prices are hurting our collective health and our wallets. How widespread and serious is […]
How Can Hospitals Reduce Medication Errors?
For hospitalized patients, medication is often an important part of treatment and/or recovery. It would be easy to assume that your nurse is giving you the right medication at the right time, but unfortunately that is not always the case. Medication errors in hospitals are common and can be dangerous. How can hospitals reduce medication […]
Reduce the Risk of Medication Errors in Long-Term Care Facilities
In last week’s post, we heard about Rose, an elderly woman who experienced dangerous medication errors while at several long-term care facilities. Unfortunately, medication errors in long-term care/rehab facilities are common and dangerous. Fortunately, you can reduce the risk of medication errors in long-term care facilities, whether you’re the patient or family member. Choosing a […]
Medication Errors in Long-Term Care Facilities – One Patient’s Cautionary Tale.
If you’re a regular reader of my blog posts (and I hope you are! If not, sign up here to receive my weekly post by email) you know I often cite research regarding the frequency and severity of medication errors. The Institute of Medicine estimates the average patient in hospitals and long-term care facilities experiences at least […]
Tips to Save Money on Prescriptions
Everyone has experienced the sticker shock of picking up an unexpectedly expensive medication from the pharmacy. Even with insurance coverage your co-pay can be expensive. Or perhaps you haven’t reached your deductible yet and have to pay the full price. How can you save money on prescriptions? Read on! What can you do? There are […]
How Should You Dispose of Medications?
It happens to all of us. Years pass by as you accumulate partially used bottles of medicine – prescription and over-the-counter (OTC). The bottles accumulate yet we do nothing. Probably because we don’t know what to do with these medications. How should you dispose of medications? Why can’t you flush ’em? According to Dispose My […]
Can Your Medication Make You Sicker?
Medications are a common treatment. So common in fact, many patients take multiple medications. Although medication is supposed to make you better, that is not always the case. Can your medication make you sicker? Unfortunately, yes. Americans take a lot of medication! We are taking a lot of pills! Research estimates that in any given […]
New Trends in Healthcare: Personal Tracking Devices, Digital Pills
This is the 4th and last posting in my series on new trends in healthcare. Today’s post focuses on personal tracking devices for healthcare and digital pills. To read the other posts in this series: Telehealth and medical scribes Uber vs ambulances, EMT care in your home, and tablets for hospital patients Concierge doctors and […]
6 Tips to Better Manage Your Healthcare for 2018
By zaggocare on January 2, 2018 in Communicating with Your Healthcare Team, Managing Healthcare, Medications, Understanding Your Diagnosis and Treatment Options
Now that 2018 is here, it’s a good time to focus on how to better manage your healthcare. Here are six tips to better manage your healthcare to get the best outcome possible for yourself or a loved one. Prepare for Medical Appointments! Doctors see patients in time limited slots, with both parties often feeling rushed. […]