Here's how to get a handle on what's in patients' medicine cabinets.
The American Medical Association has created a new medication safety checklist that patients and their caregivers can use to keep medications in order. The tool directs patients to make a med list and asks them questions like "Are you taking all of your prescribed medicines at the correct times?" and "Do your doctors know if you stopped taking a medication?"
The checklist, which is part of the AMA's "Know What's In Your Medicine Cabinet" initiative and National Patient Safety Awareness Week, is at www.ama-assn.org/ama1/pub/upload/mm/433/medication-safety-checklist.pdf.
The AMA also offers a one-hour medication reconciliation education program aimed toward physicians on its website.