VA Medication Reconciliation
Are you Up-to-Date with all your Medications?
Learn about Medication Reconciliation
Medication reconciliation is a Medication Review. This is a way for you and your health care team (your doctor, nurse, pharmacists and others who care for you) review your medicines with you to make sure they are helping rather than harming you. Medication Reconciliation includes reviewing a list of medications and/or supplements that are:
- Prescribed by your VA and Non-VA providers
- Not prescribed but you are taking or have recently stopped taking
Remember, it is your medications, your life, so play it safe by bringing all your medications in to your health care team.
Why is a Review of Your Medications Important?
Reviewing medications with your health care team may stop problems before they happen by:
- Making sure you and your health care team have the same medicine list
- Working with your health care team in making decisions about your medicines and health care
- Clarifying medication allergies and previous adverse side effects from medications
How Often Should I Update My Medication List?
- Every time you get any new medicine or a change in your prescriptions
- Every time a medication is ordered by your VA or a Non-VA provider
- Every time you begin to take a new medicine or supplement
- Every time prior to going to an appointment with your health care team
What Information Should be Included on My Medication List?
Example: Aspirin 325mg; take one tablet once a day for my heart.
Name and Strength: Aspirin 325mg
Dose: One tablet
How often you take the medication: Once a day
What is the medication for: My heart
Remember, you should always carry a list of your medications with you. Share it whenever you see your provider or are admitted to a hospital, and if you need to go to an emergency room.
Are You Taking the Right Medicine?
What Can I Do to Improve My Medication Safety?
Your VA health care team especially your VA pharmacists, are here to make sure that your medications are right for you, that they fit into your life and that they meet your goals! It is important to be an active participant in managing your medication information.
So, remember to
- Take your medicine as instructed
- Report any problems such as allergies and adverse side effects or a change in your health
- Keep a current medication list with you to share with your health care team
- Update your medication list when any changes in your medicine happens
What Questions Should I Ask My Health Care Team About My Medications?
- Why am I taking this medicine?
- When should I take this medicine?
- What are the possible side effects?
- What should I do if I miss a dose of my medicine?
- How long will I be on this medicine?
- How do I take or use this medication?
Remember, you have a right to ask and know about your medications!
How do I let my Health Care Team Know What Medications I am Taking?
Learn More on How to Create and Keep a Personal Medication List.
You may already be using My HealtheVet to manage your VA prescription refills, but there are many other tools available to you and more coming soon. All you have to do is register. Based on your My HealtheVet Account Types, you can use it to Manage Your Medications, print off your personal medication list, and even send a Secure Message to your pharmacist about questions you may have about your medications.
For more information, please contact your My HealtheVet Coordinator. Ask one of the members of your health care team to provide you with the contact information.
Watch a video about a Veteran's experience with medication reconciliation. Bob's Med Wreck Video
