Drug Safety

When it comes to prescription drug safety, you are the most important person on your healthcare team. We respect and value your voice in your healthcare – and we want to hear from you.

Physicians, nurses, pharmacists and other staff at our health system are committed to providing you with the best care possible. But only you know how you feel and how the medications your doctor prescribes affect you.

Keep a written list of all your medications, the dosage, your allergies and any reactions you have to those medications. Keep it current, and keep it with you in your purse, wallet or pocket. Having this list handy can help your physician, pharmacist or emergency care provider track an allergic reaction.

Be sure to include not just your prescription drugs but your over-the-counter medications, vitamins, herbal supplements, eye drops and lotions. Any of these could interact with other medications.

Our doctors want to make sure you understand the care you receive. And they want to hear your concerns and answer your questions.

Take your list of medications and your list of questions to every doctor visit so you and your doctor can review the list. And if you have new questions after your visit, call your nurse or send your care team a message through MyChart.

Your pharmacist is another key member of your healthcare team. If you have questions about a prescription or a possible drug interaction, just ask.

Pharmacies use many safeguards to verify your prescription, measure the dose, track possible interactions and dispense medications. However, if you fill your prescriptions at more than one pharmacy, you'll want to let each pharmacist know of any medications, allergies or reactions you have to your medications.

Before you leave the pharmacy, check your prescription, your dose (even look at your pills to see if they match previous prescriptions) and make sure your pharmacist answers all your questions.

During your stay at The University of Kansas Health System, your safety is a top priority.

In addition to automated medication dispensing, bar code identification, electronic physician order entry and drug interaction safeguards, we have a dedicated committee that focuses on drug safety and searches for new ways to improve our systems.

You play a role, too. Be sure to provide a list of your medications so your healthcare team can further ensure the medications you're taking at home don't interact with what is prescribed for you during your stay.

Our pharmacy offers 3 MedSafe containers for mediation disposal. These containers are located at The University of Kansas Hospital on the main campus, the Richard and Annette Bloch Cancer Care Pavilion/Westwood Medical Pavilion and the Indian Creek Campus in Overland Park. These large, blue MedSafe containers are available during pharmacy operating hours and can be used for any medication, including controlled substances. Liquid containers of 4 ounces or more should be placed in a plastic baggie before disposal. We cannot accept sharp items, such as needles, batteries nor aerosol containers, such as inhalers.