The 5 Rights - Column by San Juan Island EMS Chief Jim Cole

posted 01/31/2009
The overworked doctors and pharmacists on this island will tell you, that there are a lot of people on a lot of prescriptions. On average, 15.6 prescription items were dispensed per head of population in 2007. The number has only increased since. The older we are, the more medications we are probably taking. Just the sheer number and complexity of dosing schedules is enough to make it a full time job. To help avoid making a mistake in taking your prescriptions, remember the 5 "Rights" of medication taking:

Right patient
Right drug or treatment
Right dose
Right time
Right route of administration

If you take the time to check your medication package and prescription inserts and labels, you’ll avoid a potential problem of missing your medication or taking the wrong one.

Talk with your physician and understand what they are prescribing, why, and clarify the 5 Rights with them before you get the medication filled. Try to get your prescriptions from the same pharmacy, so that the pharmacist will be able to have a complete list of your medications and cross check for harmful and sometimes fatal interactions.

At the drug store counter, have any questions answered, especially if this is a new medication for you. After you get home, store your medications in a well lighted and cool place. Never change medications from their original bottles or mix prescriptions into the same bottle, unless properly marked. Keep the drug fact sheets nearby, incase you experience a questions or problem. Remember the 5 Rights before you take anything. It will help keep you healthy and lessen drug interactions and problems in the long run. If you ever have a question about your medication, speak with your pahysician.

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Chief Jim Cole from San Juan Island EMS has been a Nationally Registered Paramedic for more than 20 years and holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Community Health and a Master of Art Degree in Higher Education. He is designated as a Chief Medical Officer by the Center for Public Safety Excellence and is a Senior Wilderness Medicine Instructor with the SOLO School of Wilderness and Emergency Medicine. Suggestions for future topics can be sent to chief@sanjuanems.org.