Improving Communication Could Reduce Health Care Mistakes
KYW Medical Report Sponsored By Independence Blue Cross
By Dr. Brian McDonough, Medical Editor
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Communication is important whether it is in business, sports or world politics and there is no doubt it is crucial in health care where the stakes can be tremendously high.
One of the most important things that needs to be looked at when we evaluate the care of patients here in the United States is ways to reduce the number of errors in implementing care. One of the biggest areas is with prescription medications.
Electronic prescribing and reducing the need for handwritten prescriptions has been helpful and scientists are looking at ways to standardize drug dosing medication labels so that patients are told to take their medicine at the same time, four times a day; breakfast, lunch, dinner, and bedtime. This would replace the current practice which tells patients to take the medicine a specific number of times per day.
Once again - proper communication is key.