1. Medication Storage
   
   
   1. Are all medications stored together, or in multiple locations? Use a single storage box to organize all bottles.
   2. Does you also keep some medication in other locations? If yes, are these bottles rotated with the main supply so they do not go out-of-date?
   
   
2. Prescription refills
   
   
   1. Do you have any difficulty requesting refills from the doctor?
   2. Do you have any difficulty obtaining refills from the pharmacy (e.g., transportation to the pharmacy)?
   3. Do you order refills soon enough to avoid running out of medication?
   
   
3. Does the reminder cue work well with your lifestyle? Does it help you remember doses?
   
   
   1. If not, select an alternative reminder, or multiple reminders for various dose times
   
   
4. Which dose is most likely, or most frequently skipped.
   
   
   1. If the dose is missed because it is forgotten, select another reminder cue.
   2. If the dose is missed because of inconvenience (e.g., too busy in the morning), recommend an alternative dose time schedule (e. g, 12 noon and 12 midnight instead of 7am and 7pm)
   
   
5. Bring your medication chart to doctor visits so s/he can see the complete medication regimen
   
   
   1. Ask your doctor for recommendations on how to simplify your medication plan
   
   
6. Emergency Record: RED DOT BAG
   
   
   1. Prepare a duplicate medication chart, recording the date it is prepared. Also prepare a list of doctors and pharmacies used, with their telephone numbers. Add insurance information.
   2. Provide a waterproof, plastic “Zip-Loc” type bag for these records.
   
   

Place the bag with emergency information in the refrigerator or freezer, with a “red dot” sticker on the refrigerator door indicating that emergency medical records are stored inside. This will be useful to emergency medical technicians who need information quickly. (Medications should not be placed in the freezer, only the list.)

Section Editor: Robert Fisher, M.D., Ph.D., author: Joyce Cramer
Last Reviewed: 11/15/08