One pill, two pill, red pill, blue pill

Take one pill every morning with food until gone. Take this medication three times a day with a full glass of milk. On the first day take three pills, on the second day take two and from then on take one a day for the next two weeks. Take two pills every four hours and beware of side effects that may include dizziness, vomiting, headaches, fever, chills, fatigue, sleepiness and abdominal pain.

Wait – what?

Prescriptions for medications can be confusing, especially when two or more prescriptions are required each day. Keeping track of what pills can be taken when, with what food or beverage, or for how long, can be incredibly complex. With prescriptions from cardiologists, allergists, endocrinologists, immunologists, oncologists or pulmonologists, taking medications can be overwhelming.

At Home Solutions by Saint Therese’s medication management service was created to simplify the confusion of prescription medications. The service provides clarity through organization, distribution, monitoring and often times, education of how medications can and should be taken. With the support of a Registered Nurse (RN), the service enables a clear communication channel between the individual and their doctor or pharmacist eliminating possibly dangerous events.

When problems arise
When returning home from a hospitalization individuals may be given 1 to 10 different prescriptions. Confusion arises when the individual needs to incorporate new medications into their daily routine, all while being aware of the dosage amounts, restrictions and side effects.

The medication management service also assists individuals who've had a recent change in their lifestyle. Maybe a family member was organizing the individual’s medication and that family member moved to another city. Or maybe the individual’s own abilities have changed.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 100,000 emergency room visits are due to harmful drug events in individuals aged 65 and older.

“Re-hospitalizations due to confusion of medication are completely preventable,” said Zaneeta Best, Program Director for At Home Solutions by Saint Therese. “Our team is trained to be the liaison between each client and their physician or pharmacist to ensure each medication is taken correctly.”

Components of medication management
The first step to medication management is to schedule a visit with an RN. The visit includes learning about the individual and their needs, as well as reviewing their medical history and current medication list. Individuals will be given a head-to-toe evaluation and, if possible, medications will be set-up on the first day.

The first RN visit sets the stage for future visits by the RN or a certified nursing assistant (CNA), depending on the needs of the individual. Each visit includes observations by the visiting team member that may include changes in the individual’s vitals, appetite or general demeanor.

“The staff observations help us to determine small inconsistencies in each client, which may result in simply changing their medication or it may help prevent a future medical emergency,” Best said.

Medication management may include two visits a month to organize medications or two visits a day to distribute the pills. Each client and/or their family creates their own personal medication management service.

For more information about At Home Solutions by Saint Therese and their medication management service call 952.283.2220 or visit www.sttheresemn.org/athomesolutions.