Quality

Know Your Medications – Save Your Life

Advances in pharmacology have led to steady growth in the number of conditions that can be managed with medications. And, as the population ages, many people are depending on a variety of medications to treat their chronic
conditions. Health professionals are encouraging patients to become active partners in their own care by keeping close track of what medications they are taking and why. This allows the healthcare professional easy access to the list of their patent’s current medications; this list can then be compared to any medications they may wish to prescribe – this process is called Medication Reconciliation. The healthcare professional will be looking for any potential drug to drug, or drug to disease interactions, as well as any duplication of medications. Carle Foundation Hospital’s Emergency Department staff treats more than 50,000 patients a year, many of whom are admitted while unconscious or unable to communicate with physicians. In these cases, a nurse must embark on the difficult task of trying to establish the patient’s identity and secure a complete medical history – including all medications prescribed. If every patient carried with them an up-to-date list of all the medications they are currently taking, it would assist emergency care workers in this process. Nowadays, patients are obtaining their medications from a number of different sources, including sometimes unreliable online suppliers, reducing the likelihood of a potential interaction being spotted by a qualified pharmacist. The more medications a person is taking, the higher their risk of an unpleasant – even life-threatening – interaction. Medication Reconciliation is a process we participate in to protect our patients from harm,” says Cathy Short, director of Clinical Effectiveness. “It is not unusual for us to see patients who are taking 12 to 15 different meds, and our staff needs to know not only what the patient is taking, but also what dose, how often and what they are taking it for. Your role in the medication reconciliation process

1. Make a complete, and easy-to-read, list of all medications you are taking: including dosage, frequency, and the reason for taking it. Feel free to call your pharmacy or doctor if you need clarification on anything.
2. List any medical allergies you have.
3. Carry the list in your wallet or purse, where it may save your life in an emergency.
4. Make sure you keep the list current. Amending it or rewriting it as medications are added and removed, or as dosages change.

Carrying an up-to-date list of medication is important for anyone taking regular medication, especially children or seniors.

Carle Foundation Hospital - The Clear Choice

Carle Foundation Hospital proudly invites you to learn more about our care and see how we measure up against other hospitals in the state and across the nation. We know choosing a hospital is not an easy task, and sorting through the choices can be complicated. We encourage you to take a moment to look through our quality information online. In addition to the report on heart attack care below, you may also be interested in our other quality reports at
www.carle.org/quality.

Quality Indicators for Congestive Heart Failure

Congestive heart failure is a leading cause of death and disability in the U.S. Carle Foundation Hospital recognizes the significant impact improving the care of patients who have congestive heart failure will make not only on each individual, but also on the community. Below, you will find the best medical practices for treating congestive heart failure, as outlined by the Joint Commission. A best medical practice is a treatment that has been proven to
provide the best results for most patients. This chart tracks Carle Foundation Hospital’s performance against state and national averages:

1. Percent of Heart Failure Patients Given an Evaluation of Left Ventricular Systolic (LVS) Function.*
   The proper treatment for heart failure depends on what area of your heart is affected. An important test used is to check how
   your heart is pumping, called an evaluation of the left ventricular systolic function. It can tell your healthcare provider whether the left side of your heart is pumping properly.
2. Percent of Heart Failure Patients Given ACE Inhibitor or ARB for Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction (LVSD).*
   ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) inhibitors and ARBs (angiotensin receptor blockers) are medicines used to treat patients with heart failure and are particularly beneficial in those patients with heart failure and decreased function of the left side of the heart. ACE inhibitors and ARBs work by limiting the effects of a hormone that narrows blood vessels and may thus lower blood pressure and reduce the work the heart has to do to perform. Since the ways in which these two kinds of drugs work are different, your doctor will decide which drug is most appropriate for you.
3. Percent of Heart Failure Patients Given Smoking Cessation Advice/Counseling.*
   Smoking increases your risk for developing blood clots and heart disease, which can result in a heart attack, heart failure or stroke. Smoking causes your blood vessels to thicken. Fat and plaque then stick to the wall of your blood vessels, which makes it harder for blood to flow. Reduced blood flow to your heart may result in chest pain, high blood pressure and an increased heart rate.
4. Percent of Heart Failure Patients Given Discharge Instructions.*
   Heart failure is a chronic condition. It results in symptoms such as shortness of breath, dizziness and fatigue. Before you leave the hospital, the staff at the hospital should provide you with information to help you manage the symptoms after you get home.

The information should include:

• Activity level (what you can and can’t do)
• Diet (what you should and shouldn’t eat or drink)
• Medications
• Follow-up appointment
• Watching your daily weight
• What to do if your symptoms get worse

* Higher percentages are better.