Everyone has a role in helping prevent medication errors. Below are some things you can do as a physician to help safeguard your patients’ health:

1. Remember to ask your patients about any medications they may be taking, including over-the-counter, vitamins and herbal supplements.
2. Help educate your patients about medications. Make sure they:
   • Know the exact spelling and purpose of the drug and whether it is a brand or generic drug.
   • Know about any side effects or drug interactions, and what to do if they occur.
   • Know how and when to take the medication.
   • Know how long they should take the medication.
   • Know what to do if they forget a dose.
3. Encourage patients to read the information you or their pharmacist gives them about the medication. You also may want to refer members to Aetna’s online health information affiliate Aetna InteliHealthSM, at www.intelihealth.com for additional information.
4. Remind them never to share their prescription medications or take medications prescribed for someone else.
5. Advise them to check the expiration dates on all their medications and throw away those that have expired.
6. Inform them of how to properly store their medication, whether in cool (room temperature), dry cabinet or in the refrigerator.
7. Remind them to keep all medications out of the reach of children.
8. Make sure your handwriting is legible when you write prescriptions. Hard-to-read handwriting could be misinterpreted or misunderstood by pharmacists.
9. During follow-up visits, take the time to speak with patients about their medications. Ask if they have any questions about their medications or if they are experiencing any side effects that concern them.