Just like in other countries, medication errors are a problem in Australia, with an estimated 2-3 per cent of all hospital admissions medication-related.

This suggests at least 230,000 admissions annually in this country are caused by patients taking too much or too little of a medicine – or taking the wrong medicine – with the cost topping at least $1.2 billion. A good proportion of these patients are older and infirm Australians still living independently.

This recent article in a New York newspaper has five useful tips especially for those people receiving in-home or community care, and for their carers, to help prevent medication errors.

Conversation starter

Has medication management been a challenge for you or someone you have cared for? What were any consequences? Where did you go for advice? What was the recommendation? What did you learn?