“Most routines fly out the window at the end of the year, which is really important in order to relax and have a good time. However, every year millions of Australians suffer adverse medicine events as a result of��not taking medications as prescribed. So it is really important to stick to your medication schedule. However, routine changes and cost pressures during the holiday period can put people at risk,” said Mr Stevens, who is also Managing Director of�����سԹ���and an Australian pioneer of medication management for the past 40 years.��

“This is because holidays can be a time when it is easy to lose track of normal daily schedules. There are a lot of disruptions to regular routines, and it can be hard to remember if medication has been taken. Everyone wants to relax and have a good time, but things don’t always go according to plan, especially when daily medication routines are interrupted,” explains Mr Stevens

Simple Steps to Stay Medication Safe:��

What happens if you run out of��your medications or lose them while you are on holidays?��Mr��Stevens, who��invented the iconic Webster-pak��that keeps thousands of Australians medication-safe every day,��says��a few simple steps can��help people to stay medication safe while��they��are��away from home:��

1. Ask your pharmacist for a �±�����ٱ��-�貹��® for the duration of��your��holiday��period

A Webster-pak will ensure all medications prescribed are available for the duration of the trip and��act as a��reminder��to take��the��recommended doses.��The most widely used blister-pack in Australia is the���±�����ٱ��-�貹��®, which was invented by Mr Stevens more than 35 years ago.����

“With a Webster-pak��system, the pharmacy will supply a week’s worth of medication packed into individual dosage times, so you know exactly what needs to be taken at the right time. Your pharmacy may even deliver it for you!” says Mr Stevens.��

 

2. Carry a PocketProfile Medicines List in a wallet or purse��

People can find it difficult to remember and explain exactly what medications and doses they take, especially with multiple medications. One great solution is ���سԹ�’s PocketProfile Medicines List, which can simply be printed by your pharmacist.��It contains a person’s entire medication profile, including images of medications, and neatly folds down to the size of a credit card, so it’s easy to keep in your purse or wallet. Whenever a medication changes, your pharmacist will issue you with an updated��PocketProfile.����

“Around one-in-five people aged 70 or older are on four or more medications, which they truly need. It can be difficult to remember all of the names and correct dosages,” warned Mr Stevens.��“So��having an up-to-date��list can be very useful.��Plus, in an age where things are increasingly digital, users of the PocketProfile��don’t need the latest gadgets, apps and electronic devices – it won’t run out of charge and it won’t shut down.”��

The PocketProfile also contains the person’s home pharmacy and phone number, enabling a pharmacist at a holiday destination to simply ring the home pharmacy to confirm the medications that were prescribed,��before issuing emergency replacements��to last the remainder of the holiday.��

“It is particularly��helpful in emergency situations. Medical staff can immediately see a patient’s medications and any other medical concerns, including��‘in case of emergency’ contact details,” said Mr Stevens.��

3. Speak to your pharmacist before going away.

“It is a good practice to check in with your pharmacist before going away, they are a wealth of knowledge and information,” says Mr Stevens. “It is also an opportunity to speak to them about the Pharmacist Shared Medicines List,��(PSML) a consolidated list of medicines prepared by a pharmacist and uploaded to a patient’s . It can help to reduce medication-related problems, specifically those experienced by older Australians.”��

 

Reference:��

1. Medication safety in acute care in Australia: where are we now? Part 1 (Review 2002-2008), Aug 2009��

To learn more or to speak to a ���سԹ� specialist, contact us on 1800 244 358

The post One Important Routine to Maintain During the Holiday Period appeared first on ���سԹ�.

We all want the best possible health outcomes for our patients.  For many seniors, the ability to remain independent and at home means being able to manage complex medication regimes. While a (DAA) offers this initial guidance, some patients may require further support.

Here are 4 supportive ���سԹ� tools, that can help promote positive medication regimes in the home and community:   

�ʾ���-���Dz�®

Get the pills without the spills!

As a pharmacist, there is zero tolerance for error when preparing patient medications. We understand the attention and care involved in packing and checking each �±�����ٱ��-�貹��® medication pack. Which is why it’s so important that your patients take their medications just as you’ve prepared.  This means without spills. 

A seemingly simple task, such as removing medications from a blister pack, can be challenging for those suffering from poor eyesight, arthritis, or poor dexterity.

The �ʾ���-���Dz�® device is designed to make removing pills from a Webster-pak a safe and easy process. Collecting medication becomes simplified when using the Pil-Bob. When the foil is pierced with the device’s serrated tip, medications drop directly into the cup.

�±�����ٱ��-�貹��® Fridge Magnet

Keep medications in sight and never miss a dose.

The fridge is one of the most frequented places in the home – even more so in the midst of a pandemic. For those customers struggling to remember to take their medications a specially designed Webster-pak Fridge Magnet can be used to hang, and keep medications visually prominent at all times.

PocketProfile Medicines List

You could save a life.

In times of emergency, having access to a patient’s list of current medications can be crucial. For a patient to be treated in the most efficient and accurate manner, these details will be known to the relevant health professional.

The PocketProfile Medicines List is small enough to be kept in a wallet. It can easily be printed via your ���سԹ� MMS software.  MMS can also prompt updated reprints when a change is made to your patient’s profile – a service valued by the customer.

When I took the PocketProfile into Emergency, the registered nurse loved it because it included the generic name.

-Ian Pavey, Community Patient NSW

Clamshell-pak Day Out

Going out for the day?

Customers like practical solutions when it comes to supporting their medication regime. The Clamshell-pak Day Out offers a secure, compact and hygienic solution for housing medications when on-the-go.

For any DAA, simplicity is key. The colour-coded storage compartments for breakfast, lunch, dinner and bedtime help to easily identify dosage times.

Patients can simply transfer required medications into the day out pack, leaving remaining medications in their Webster-pak.

Medication management doesn’t have to be tricky. A little bit of extra support, and fully utilising the tools available, can make all the difference to a customer’s health and satisfaction.

For further details, or to place an order for any of these supportive tools, contact us on 1800 244 358.

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