Patient Safety

Medication Reconciliation

Keeping Your Medicines Safe Across Care Transitions

When you move between care settings — for example, when you’re admitted to the hospital, transferred to another unit, or discharged — your medicine list can change. Medication reconciliation (“Med Rec”) is an important safety process we use to make sure no medicines are missing, duplicated, or wrongly changed. This helps prevent medication errors and protects you from harm.

How It Works

1. Gathering Your Medicine History

   We collect a complete list of all medicines you take — including prescriptions, over‑the‑counter, vitamins, supplements, creams, eye drops, and herbals.

2. Verifying

   We check that list carefully to make sure it matches what you're actually taking (dose, frequency, route). This is often called the Best Possible Medication History (BPMH).

3. Comparing & Reconciling

   We compare your actual medicine list against the medicines ordered in the hospital or clinic. Any differences are reviewed and corrected.

4. Communicating with You

   Before you leave the hospital, we give you an updated medication list and explain all changes.

What You Can Do to Help

• Bring a current list of all your medicines.
• Tell us about any changes.
• Ask questions about your medication plan.
• Use teach‑back: repeat instructions in your own words.

Our Commitment to Your Safety

Medication reconciliation is part of our Patient Safety Program, ensuring your medicine information is accurate and safe across care transitions.

Fall Prevention

Inpatient Fall Prevention

While in the hospital, preventing falls is a shared responsibility between you and your care team. Simple steps can make a big difference in keeping you safe during your stay:

• Ask for help before getting out of bed or standing up
• Use your call button early—especially before needing the bathroom
• Avoid rushing; take your time and wait for assistance
• Sit in a chair for meals to maintain strength and stability
• Keep personal items like your phone, glasses, and water within reach

To learn more about Inpatient Fall Prevention, click here.

Outpatient Fall Prevention

At home and in your daily routine, small proactive choices can help prevent falls and keep you independent and confident:

• Stay active to improve strength, balance, and flexibility
• Have your vision and hearing checked regularly
• Review medications for side effects like dizziness or unsteadiness
• Wear supportive, non-slip footwear
• Remove home hazards such as clutter, loose rugs, and cords
• Install safety features like grab bars, handrails, and good lighting
• Use assistive devices (cane or walker) when recommended
• Stand up slowly and stay aware of your surroundings

To learn more about Outpatient Fall Prevention, click here.

Error Prevention Tools

Preventing errors is an essential part of creating a safe care environment for every patient. Using simple, proven communication and safety tools—such as speaking up about concerns, asking clarifying questions, and double-checking information—helps ensure accuracy and reduce the risk of mistakes. Techniques such as SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation), self-checking, and repeat-back communication empower both staff and patients to stay actively involved in safety. By slowing down, verifying information, and supporting one another, we can prevent errors before they happen and deliver safer, more reliable care.

To learn more about Error Prevention Tools, click here.