Why everyone on Sint Maarten should have a medication history printout
Picture this: You or a loved one is rushed to the Emergency Room. Things are moving fast. A nurse asks: “What medications are you taking at home?” You pause. Maybe you remember one or two pills. Maybe you forget the name, or the dose. In a moment like that, every detail matters.
Many people don’t realize how dangerous it can be when doctors and nurses don’t have the right medication information. Without an accurate list, patients can be given the wrong medication, miss an important dose, or end up with drugs that interact badly with each other. These kinds of mistakes can lead to serious side effects, longer hospital stays, or worse.
Every year, thousands of people in Sint Maarten are admitted to the hospital, often in urgent or stressful situations. Research from healthcare systems around the world shows that when patients are admitted without a complete and accurate list of the medications they take at home, it leads to an average of five to six medication discrepancies per patient. These errors can include missed doses, duplicate medications, or harmful drug interactions, all of which increase the risk of serious health complications. The good news? Most of these mistakes are preventable. That’s why the members of the Pharmacy Association of Sint Maarten are raising awareness about a simple, life-saving tool – the Medication History Printout.
What is a Medication History Printout?
A Medication History Printout is a written or digital record of all the medicines you take. It’s not just for people with serious illnesses or older adults. It’s for anyone who takes regular medication or supplements.
Your medication printout includes the following:
- All prescription medications from your pharmacy.
- If you visit more than one pharmacy, you’ll need a separate printout from each one.
- Over-the-counter medications and herbal remedies are not automatically included, so it’s important to add those yourself.
Even something as common as a painkiller or a vitamin can affect your treatment. That’s why your printout should include everything, not just what the doctor prescribed.
Why it matters at every step of care
Any time you move from one place of care to another – for example, from your family doctor to a specialist, or from home into the hospital – there is a transition of care. During these transitions, doctors need a complete picture of your medications to make safe decisions. Without that picture, patients are often admitted to the hospital with five to six medication errors on average. Even one small mistake can lead to serious problems.
Having a printed medication history, and adding your own notes about over-the-counter and herbal products can do the following:
- Help doctors treat you faster and more safely.
- Reduce the risk of getting the wrong or duplicate medication.
- Keep you in control of your own health.
Who should have one?
Basically, if you rely on medication to manage your health, you should have a Medication History Printout and keep it updated.
You should have a list if any of the following applies:
- You take three or more medications regularly.
- You see more than one doctor or specialist.
- You’ve been hospitalized in the last 12 months.
- You take care of an elderly parent or loved one.
- You sometimes forget the names or doses of your medications.
How to get started
Creating a medication printout is easy. In an emergency, this list can speak for you, when you may not be able to.
Here’s what you can do:
1. Ask your pharmacy to print or email you a current list of your medications.
2. Keep it somewhere safe, like in your wallet, purse, or saved on your phone.
3. Bring it with you to every doctor’s appointment, hospital visit, or lab test.
4. Update it whenever your medication changes – whether you start a new one, stop an old one, or adjust a dose.
5. Add your own notes for over-the-counter and herbal products that your pharmacy may not know about.
We’re here to help
As members of the Pharmacy Association of Sint Maarten, we take medication safety seriously. We know how small details can make a big difference in care.
If you’re not sure how to start your medication list, just come in. Our pharmacists will help you create a list that’s clear, complete, and easy to understand. You can also ask for a digital version to keep on your phone.
A community-wide effort
Medication safety isn’t just a personal issue; it’s a public health priority. By encouraging more people on the island to carry a medication printout, we reduce the risk of medication errors for everyone.
Let’s protect our families, support our doctors, and strengthen our healthcare system, one simple list at a time. Don’t wait for an emergency. Take charge of your health today, and help spread the word.
This information is provided by the Pharmacist Association of Sint Maarten (PAS). PAS is dedicated to improving the quality of pharmaceutical care on the island.
All pharmacies on the Dutch side of Sint Maarten are proud members of PAS.
