Medication Reconciliation
One accurate list across all doctors.
Why this matters
7,000-9,000 deaths/year from medication errors. Most happen because doctors don't know all the drugs you take. Your job — be the keeper of the list. Bring it to every visit.
Build the list
For each medication, write:
- Name (brand + generic).
- Strength (e.g., 20mg).
- How often (e.g., once a day).
- Time of day.
- What for (e.g., blood pressure).
- Prescribing doctor.
- Pharmacy.
- Start date.
Include OTC, vitamins, supplements, herbs. ALL of them. They interact too.
Where to keep it
- Apple Health Medications (iOS 16+) — auto-tracks interactions. Free.
- Medisafe app — free, family-shareable.
- MyChart — patient portal often has medication list. Update yourself.
- Wallet card — print + carry. Critical in ER.
- Notes app on phone — at minimum.
- Update every 3 months OR after every change.
Bring to every visit
- Primary care visits.
- Specialist visits — they often don't see your full record.
- ER trips — first thing they ask.
- Hospital admission.
- Surgery pre-ops.
- Dental work (some meds affect bleeding).
- Eye doctor (some meds affect pressure).
Annual brown-bag review
- Once a year, dump every pill bottle into a paper bag.
- Bring to PCP visit.
- Doctor reviews each one.
- Discuss: still needed? Dose right? Cheaper alternative?
- Average senior takes 5+ medications. 30%+ usually have one that can be removed.
- Saves money + reduces side effect risk.
One pharmacy
Use ONE pharmacy for everything if possible. Pharmacist auto-checks for interactions. Multiple pharmacies = no one has full picture. Even Pillpack (mail) handles all your meds in one place — same benefit.