Ten Suggestions for Discharge Medications: Make Going Home Safer and Easier
Medication adherence, taking medications exactly as prescribed, is hard for everyone; even one-third of doctors do not take their own prescriptions correctly. For parents of children with special needs, a variety of factors may be involved including cost, complicated instructions, the number of doses a day, and concerns over side effects. In addition, some children have sensory integration problems with increased awareness to new tastes and textures. Parental forgetfulness may also occasionally be a factor as many children take several medications and have involved medical needs that can be overwhelming at times. To prevent medication errors and improve adherence, the Institute of Medicine recommends that parents take an active role in reviewing prescriptions for their children prior to discharge. This article lists ten suggestions to help parents of a child with special needs to navigate the process of receiving discharge medications to make the transition home safer and easier
Article, 2008