Preventing Medication Errors During Care Transitions in Minnesota
Recent Articles
-
Dementia Care Guide for Minnesota Families -
Managing Chronic Diseases at Home -
Preventing Medication Errors During Care Transitions in Minnesota -
Surviving Minnesota Winters Safely -
Minnesota's Elderly Waiver & Alternative Care -
8 Signs Your Minnesota Parent Needs In-Home Care -
Aging in Place in Minnesota: Home Safety & Comfort -
Supporting Family Caregivers in Minnesota
Our services support busy family caregivers who need additional help managing their aging parents’ households, individuals with physical or developmental disabilities who require assistance.
Start your care journey with us
Call: 1 888 816 1366 Email: hello@livinglifehealthcare.com
Preventing Medication Errors During Care Transitions in Minnesota
Minnesota’s healthcare system ranks among the best, yet fixable gaps in medication management remain a leading cause of costly readmissions and patient harm.
Where Medication Errors Happen
Errors typically stem from communication breakdowns. Minnesota's adverse health event reports show record highs in recent years, with the majority occurring during prescribing (59%) and administration (35%).
High-Risk Medications to Watch:
- Anticoagulants: (Blood thinners) The leading cause of ED visits for adverse events.
- Diabetes Medications: Including Insulin, requiring precise dosing.
- Blood Pressure Drugs & Antibiotics: Frequently altered during hospital stays.
The Safety Net: Medication Reconciliation
This is the formal process of creating the Best Possible Medication History (BPMH) by comparing hospital orders against what you actually take at home. Minnesota law requires licensed professionals to perform this check during medication management.
Teach-Back Method
Instead of asking "Do you understand?", nurses ask you to explain your medication schedule in your own words. If you can't explain it, you don't understand it yet.
Management Tools
- Pill Organizers: For a week-at-a-glance view.
- Digital Apps: To track refills and reminders.
- Written Schedules: Listing dose, time, and purpose.
Patient Checklist: Questions to Ask Before Discharge
| Focus Area | Key Question |
|---|---|
| New Meds | What are the names, doses, and purposes of all my new medications? |
| Old Meds | Which of my previous medications should I stop taking immediately? |
| Side Effects | What are the potential side effects, and what do I do if they occur? |
| Support | What number do I call if I have medication questions at 2:00 AM? |
Livinglife Healthcare
Living Life Healthcare: Empowering independence, one home at a time. With 40+ years of combined expertise, we’re the Twin Cities’ trusted partner in exceptional home health care—helping Minnesotans live their best lives where they’re most comfortable.
Begin Your Journey with us
Reach out to discuss compassionate care for your loved one, and we’ll respond promptly.
- 1 888 816 1366
- hello@livinglifehealthcare.com