Who has responsibility for a patients' meds during hospitalization?

[user-3489_j65]

Who has the the responsibility to be sure a patient is being administered all the medications they were taking prior to their hospitalization during their stay (assuming none of them were being temporarily or permanently stopped during their stay)? Thanks.

[jaminhealth]

The attending doctors and nurses and they make sure you are getting your meds that you are taking before hospitalization.

[user-3489_j65]

Originally Posted by jaminhealth

The attending doctors and nurses and they make sure you are getting your meds that you are taking before hospitalization.

OK, but if the discharge form only lists 3 of the 6 medications is the "normal" assumption that the discharge form is inaccurate?

[jaminhealth]

I spent some time in hospital/rehabs a year or so ago. I did NOT take my own meds to these places, but when I told them what I'm on, they made sure I got my meds which were blood pressure and a thyroid med. When I was discharged, I took home meds that were mine and billed for on insurance and that was it. I'm not sure what you are asking.

[suzy_q2010]

Originally Posted by user-3489_j65

OK, but if the discharge form only lists 3 of the 6 medications is the "normal" assumption that the discharge form is inaccurate?

Were any medications stopped or changed due to the condition that prompted your hospitalization?

A discharge summary should be sent to your primary care doctor if that was not who admitted and treated you while you were in the hospital. Review all of your meds with your PCP.

[user-3489_j65]

Originally Posted by suzy_q2010

Were any medications stopped or changed due to the condition that prompted your hospitalization?

No.

[coolgato]

People can't bring their meds from home when they go to the hospital. I couldn't understand why though, but you can't. The nurses dole out the meds as prescribed by the doctors. The nurses get orders to administer, but you could always ask questions, then they will call the doctor with your concerns and get back to you.

[user-3489_j65]

Originally Posted by jaminhealth

I spent some time in hospital/rehabs a year or so ago. I did NOT take my own meds to these places, but when I told them what I'm on, they made sure I got my meds which were blood pressure and a thyroid med. When I was discharged, I took home meds that were mine and billed for on insurance and that was it. I'm not sure what you are asking.

I admit that my question is not well worded. The patient was not me. It was a relative.
The nurse said that the 3 meds on the discharge form were the 3 that were administered during the 3-day stay.
The paramedics, ER staff, and attending nurse were all given the list of 6 meds the patient was taking before the fall that caused the hospitalization and the hospital staff asked for the name of the patient's doctor. The attending doctor personally explained the discharge plan (in my presence) and the patient is home recovering nicely. There was no mention of any changes to her medications. I guess my question is: can a discharge form simply have an error on it and thus I am worrying "after the fact"?

[Curly Q. Bobalink]

If at all possible, a patient should always bring their currently prescribed medications with them when they check into the hospital. The hospital staff will not administer them (they will be kept until discharge or returned to family), but it gives them the ability to check with the patient's own doctor for medical history, drug interactions, etc.. And don't lie about whatever non-prescription drugs or supplements you're taking, illegal or not, lest you set yourself up for problems. Hospitals are not clairvoyants.

[suzy_q2010]

Originally Posted by coolgato

People can't bring their meds from home when they go to the hospital. I couldn't understand why though, but you can't. The nurses dole out the meds as prescribed by the doctors. The nurses get orders to administer, but you could always ask questions, then they will call the doctor with your concerns and get back to you.

If you go to the hospital you should take your medications with you. The hospital will want to administer them while you are there, and you should get them back when you go home. Ask the person you give them to to give you a receipt, specifying the quantity of each med, especially if any are controlled substances.

Originally Posted by user-3489_j65

I admit that my question is not well worded. The patient was not me. It was a relative.
The nurse said that the 3 meds on the discharge form were the 3 that were administered during the 3-day stay.
The paramedics, ER staff, and attending nurse were all given the list of 6 meds the patient was taking before the fall that caused the hospitalization and the hospital staff asked for the name of the patient's doctor. The attending doctor personally explained the discharge plan (in my presence) and the patient is home recovering nicely. There was no mention of any changes to her medications. I guess my question is: can a discharge form simply have an error on it and thus I am worrying "after the fact"?

It sounds as if three medications were stopped during the hospitalization. Which of the six pre-hospitalization meds were not on the discharge list and not given during the hospital stay?