Errors with medicines can happen in all healthcare settings, even in the most prestigious medical centers. And now more than ever, consumers are aware of just how often these errors can happen. But with this knowledge comes power. Consumers can and should take an active role when it comes to safety with medicines they receive while in the hospital.

Here are the top ten safety tips the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) says you, or people you care about, should do to help prevent errors with medicines when you are in the hospital:

1. Share your list of medicines. Your doctors and nurses will need to know what medicines you usually take at home. So, if possible, before going to the hospital prepare an accurate list to share with them. Be sure to include prescription medicines, over-the-counter (OTC) products, herbals, vitamins, and dietary supplements. Topical creams, ointments, medicine pens, patches, eye and ear drops should also be included. And, don’t forget any medicine you take every once in a while, such as a rescue inhaler.
2. Discuss allergies and the type of reaction you have. Hospital staff will ask about any allergies you might have. That includes food, latex, intravenous dye (used by radiologists), and so on. So it’s wise to keep a list of these, too. The medical team will also want to know exactly what happens (what type of reaction you have) when you are exposed to these products.
3. Discuss alcohol and other substance use. As a part of your health assessment, your doctors and nurses will ask you if you drink alcohol or use any illegal or prescription drugs that have not been prescribed to you. This information will remain confidential but is important for your care. Even if you have been prescribed certain types of medicines such as pain or anxiety medicine, you should tell the doctors if you have been taking more than the prescribed amount and how long you’ve been taking them. It is important to be very honest with your doctors and nurses because alcohol and other drugs may interfere with medicines you will be getting or change the way you respond to them.
4. Review the list of medicines you take at home with medicines you are given in the hospital. If you are admitted to the hospital, ask your healthcare provider what medicines you are getting while you are a patient so you can compare it with the list of medicines you take at home. If any medicine that you normally take is not being given to you during your hospitalization be sure to ask the nurse and doctor why you are not getting it. You may not need it while you are in the hospital, but this will ensure nothing was missed.
5. Learn about new medicines. Ask your doctor about each medicine being prescribed and the reason you need to take it. Then have your nurse confirm the reason you are being given each medicine. This way, if you hear something different, you should ask questions. This might prevent a medication error.
6. Keep your identification band (ID) on. Always make sure you are wearing a hospital ID band and make sure nothing is done without someone first reading or scanning the band to identify you. While the nurse is checking your ID, state your name and any other unique identifier the nurse asks you for (i.e., date of birth).
7. Call for the nurse if a medicine pump beeps. Medicines and other intravenous (IV) fluids are frequently given using an IV pump. Sometimes these pumps can beep at unexpected times. Never attempt to turn off the pump or allow any visitors in the room touch the pump. Doing so can cause a medicine or solution to be given too fast, too slow, or stop altogether.
8. Bring an advocate. Some hospitalized patients are either unable to participate in their own care due to the illness or some type of other physical limitations. If this occurs, try to arrange for a close friend or family member to stay with you, if allowed. This individual can help you keep track of the medicines you are being given. They can also help confirm your identity before your nurse gives you any medicine.
9. Don’t let family members press a pain pump button. Some patients who have surgery or are in severe pain may be given a pain relief device known as patient controlled analgesia (PCA). These devices allow a patient to take pain medicine without having to call a nurse. This is done through a pump connected to an intravenous line (IV). When a patient feels pain, a button can be pushed and a dose of medicine is released. This button must only be pressed by the patient, not by others. Sleepy patients will not press the button, which prevents overdoses. Others pressing the button for the patient can result in the patient getting too much medicine which can lead to harm.
10. Review your discharge instructions. An updated list of medicines should be given to you upon discharge. Compare this to the list of medicines you took prior to being hospitalized. Discuss any new prescriptions or changes in your medicines with your doctor and nurse. If you experienced any new reactions or side effects to any of the treatments you received in the hospital, have the nurse write this down on your records.