Medication management involves patient-centred care to optimize safe, effective and appropriate drug therapy. Care is provided through collaboration with patients and their health care teams.
Antimicrobial stewardship program
Overuse and misuse of antibiotics contribute to the development of resistant bacteria such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and difficult to treat infections like Clostridium difficile (C. difficile). As with any medication, patients can suffer side effects from antibiotic use such as an allergic reaction, diarrhea or kidney problems. It is important to prescribe antibiotics only to those patients most likely to benefit, and to ensure the antibiotic and dose chosen is best suited to their care.
Pharmacists act as stewards of responsible antibiotic use at KHSC under the Antimicrobial Stewardship Program. They are watchful for situations where antibiotics may not being used optimally and make recommendations to the care team for improvement.
Deep vein thrombosis
A Deep Vein Thrombosis is blood clot that forms in one or more deep veins in your body. Sometimes these clots can break off and travel to the lungs and when this happens it is called a Pulmonary Embolism. Being in hospital, along with other factors, can increase your risk of developing a blood clot in your veins. Other risk factors include recent surgery, having cancer or cancer treatments, major trauma or injuries to your leg, not being active, pregnancy, obesity, smoking and certain hormone medications.
Blood clots can cause pain and swelling, may cause serious harm to the body and may even cause death. Blood clots can happen in many people, but are most common in those who are ill, in people who need to be in hospital or in those who need to have surgery.
To help prevent blood clots, before coming to hospital (if your hospital admission or surgery is planned), talk to your doctors about your risk for developing a blood clot and be sure to inform your doctors if you have had a blood clot in the past or have a family history of blood clots. While you are in the hospital ask your healthcare providers about what is being done to help prevent you from developing a blood clot. You can also:
- Expect that you might receive an anticoagulant injection or tablet which can help reduce the chance of developing a blood clot.
- Wear anti-clotting or compression stockings if you have been asked to do so.
- Resume walking and physical activity as soon as your doctor permits it.
- Drink plenty of fluids to keep hydrated (check with your healthcare team first).
- Report any new chest pain, shortness of breath, pain or swelling in the leg to your healthcare providers immediately.
After your hospitalization make sure to stay active, don't smoke or stop smoking if you do and maintain a healthy body weight.
Speak to your healthcare providers at anytime if you have a concern or question about blood clots.
