PATIENT SAFETY
Adverse drug reactions
Patients experiencing adverse drug reactions, acute medical symptoms or other problems should contact their primary care provider (PCP), local emergency room or 911.
How to throw away home-generated biomedical waste
Home-generated biomedical waste is any type of syringe, lancet or needle (“sharps”) used in the home to either inject medication or draw blood. Special care must be taken with the disposal of these items to protect you and others from injury, and to keep the environment clean and safe.
If your therapy involves the use of needles, an appropriately sized sharps container will be provided. Please follow these simple rules to ensure your safety during your therapy.
Sharps
After using your injectable medication, place all needles, syringes, lancets and other sharp objects into a sharps container. If a sharps container is not available, a hard plastic or metal container with a screw-on top or other tightly securable
lid (for example, an empty hard can or liquid detergent container) could be used. Before discarding, reinforce the
top with heavy-duty tape. Do not use clear plastic or glass containers. Containers should be no more than 3⁄4 full.
Disposal
Check with your local waste collection service to verify the disposal procedures for sharps containers in your area. You can ask your prescriber’s office about the possibility of disposing of items in the prescriber’s office during your next office visit. You can also visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Safe Community Needle Disposal website at http://www.cdc.gov/needledisposal/.
Needle-stick safety
- Never replace the cap on needles.
- Throw away used needles immediately after use in a sharps disposal container.
- Plan for the safe handling and disposal of needles before using them.
- Report all needle stick or sharps-related injuries promptly to your physician.
- If your therapy does not involve the use of needles or sharp items you do not need a sharps container. You should place all used supplies (e.g., syringes or tubing) in a bag you can’t see through. Put this bag inside a second bag, and put this in your garbage with your other trash.
Hand-washing instructions
Infections are serious issues. The best way to make sure you do not get an infection is to wash your hands often. Remember to always wash your hands before and after you prepare or handle any medication.
1. Collect the supplies: soap and paper towels (or a clean cloth towel).
2. Wet your hands with warm water.
3. Place a small amount of soap on your hands.
4. Rub your hands briskly together for at least 30 seconds.
5. Don’t forget about the in-betweens of your fingers.
6. Rinse your hands with warm water.
7. Dry your hands with a paper towel or clean cloth towel.
8. Turn off your faucet with the towel.
9. If you touch anything (your hair, for example), sneeze into your hands or feel that your hands may no longer be clean, wash your hands again before continuing with your care.
*If no water supply is available, use an alcohol-based antibacterial hand cleanser.
Patient Information on Emergency Preparedness
General home safety — patient education
Each year nearly 21 million family members suffer injuries in the home. We want you and your family to live in a safe environment. We have provided some suggestions that could help you prevent an injury within your home. Check every room in your house and make your home safer.
Falling (This is the way people are most often injured in their homes.)
2. If you use throw rugs, place them over a rug liner or choose rugs with non-skid backs to reduce your chance of falling.
3. Use a non-slip mat or install adhesive strips in your tub or shower.
4. Tuck away telephone, computer and electrical cords out of walkways.
5. All stairs and steps need handrails. If you have stairs in your home and have children, use baby gates at the top and bottom of the stairs.
6. Have all walkways well lit and use night lights as needed.
7. Have a flashlight that works.
Poisoning
2. Keep medications out of the reach of children.
3. Know your local poison control number or dial 1-800-222-1222.
Fire and burn prevention
2. Test each smoke detector once a month.
3. Have a fire plan and be sure all family members know what to do if there’s a fire.
4. Place covers over electrical outlets.
5. Check to make sure your water heater is set no higher than 120° F.
6. Keep children away from the stove and never leave the stove unattended while cooking.
7. Keep matches and lighters out of the reach of children.
Fire
• If bedridden, tie a knot in the head and foot of the sheet.
• Using the sheet, pull the person to safety. If two people are available, make a chair from the rescuers’ arms and carry the patient to safety.
2. If safe, alert the fire department. Otherwise evacuate area.
3. Turn off oxygen (if applicable), and try to contain the fire by closing off any access, such as doors.
4. Attempt to extinguish the fire only if it is in a small localized area, otherwise evacuate the building and notify the fire department when you are safe.
Natural disasters (earthquake, hurricane and tornado)
2. Check for injuries.
3. Check your home for any gas or water leaks and turn off appropriate valves.
4. Stay away from windows or broken glass. Wear shoes at all times.
5. Evacuate area if necessary.
6. If evacuation is necessary, go to the nearest shelter and notify the organizers of any special needs you have.
Power outage
2. Have a transistor radio, flashlights, batteries and/or candles available. (If on oxygen, turn it off before lighting candles.)
Flood
2. Unplug your infusion pump unless the IV pole is touching water.
3. Evacuate the area.
4. Contact the local law enforcement, civil defense and/or emergency preparedness.
Patient Concerns and Complaints
We want to provide your therapy to your complete satisfaction. If you are not happy with the care or services we have provided, we want to know about it. If you have any concerns or problems with your medications or services, you have the right to call our Dottie’s Pharmacy at 1-855-287-7888. We will be glad to help you with any concerns. If you wish to file a written complaint you may do so using this form. We take all concerns very seriously and view them as opportunities to improve our services. You can also access our online patient complaint from at www.dotspharmacy.com.
Patient Complaint Form
Patient name:
Phone Number:
Address:
City:
State:
Zip Code:
E-mail Address:
Date:
Summary of the Situation:
Employee involved (if applicable):
Nature of problem:
Please mail form to:
325 Folly Road, Suite 101
Charleston, SC 29412
or fax 843-414-7453