#UniteforSafeCare Campaign Led by the Patient Safety Movement

 

A plethora of resources for patients searching for ways to make their hospital stays safer can be found at PatientSafetyMovement.org which is sponsoring a campaign called #UniteForSafeCare.  Their resource page includes campaign info graphics, book recommendations and downloadable patient safety guides from the Batz Foundation for before, during and after your hospital visit.

WHO Global Campaign: Medication Without Harm

Check out the World Health Organizations Global Campaign: Medication Without Harm which is designed to increase public awareness of the safety issues related to medication use and the need for safer medication practices. This campaign encourages everyone from doctors, pharmacists, caregivers and patients to take extra steps to know more about their medications, what they are for and how to safely use them. Get resources and find out more at:  https://www.who.int/patientsafety/medication-safety/campaign/en/ 

 

Medication Safety Awareness for the Blind Campagin

In October the Medication Safety Awareness for the Blind Campaign focuses on drawing awareness to the need for accessible prescription labeling at the pharmacy counter. Accessible prescription labels come in audible, large print, Braille, and dual language formats. Promotional and educational materials as well as social media resources are available all year round here.

 

Oregon Board of Pharmacy Publishes Official Rule Requiring Pharmacies to Provide Prescription Label Readers

 After some discussion, the Oregon Board of Pharmacy has published the final rule requiring pharmacies to notify patients that prescription readers are available and to provide the readers to patients who request one. This device is particularly vital for individuals who are visually impaired, blind or print impaired. 

The rule went into effect June 23, 2020 and is the culmination of state legislation that was enacted in 2019. 

For full details on the rule, as well as more, click here. 

Health & Well-Being Webinars

Health and Well Being Webinars sponsored by En-Vision America will focus on a variety of health and mental wellness topics with the visually impaired in mind.  The first webinar will focus on ways to thrive during uncertain times whether that be due to recent vision loss or COVID-19 precautions. New webinars will be introduced periodically.  Access current and past webinars at: https://mailchi.mp/envisionamerica/healthandwellbeing

New Accessible Prescription Labeling Bill Introduced in Minnesota

February 13, 2020 - Minnesota State Senators Newton, Hoffman and Abeler have sponsored senate bill SF3152 which would instruct pharmacists to dispense prescription drugs to a patient who is visually impaired or blind using an audible prescription drug container label or a braille prescription drug container label unless the patient requests a regular container label.  The pharmacy cannot charge an extra fee or surcharge for providing an audible or braille label. 

The bill has been referred to Health and Human Services Finance and Policy Committee which currently has over 300 bills on its docket.  Supporters of SF3152 are encouraged to contact their senator and request they co-sponsor the bill and to write letters of support to the Health and Human Services Finance and Policy Committee so it will be put on the agenda for consideration.

Rural America Lists Top Concerns as Drugs and Economy

A poll of about 2,700 individuals living in rural America discovered that 25 percent list opioid or other drug addiction as the "most serious problem" their community is handling. This comes in above economic concerns, which pulled in 21 percent.


"These findings suggest that in today's economically stretched rural United States, opioid or other drug addiction or abuse has emerged as an equal problem with economic concerns," study authors from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation said.

For a full breakdown of the results the study, published in JAMA Network Open, click here.

American Academy of Ophthamology Discovers Some Serious Gaps in Eye Health Awareness

As the number of people with potentially blinding eye diseases is expected to double in the years ahead, the American Academy of Ophthamology says its latest poll has discovered some concerning knowledge gaps in the general population.

Only around one-third of adults (37%) know you do not always experience symptoms before you lose vision to eye diseases. And less than half (47%) are aware your brain can make it difficult to know if you are losing your vision by adapting to vision loss.

For full details of the survey, conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of the American Academy of Ophthamology, click here.

January Is Glaucoma Awareness Month

Glaucoma can sometimes be known as the silent sight stealer. The only way to diagnose glaucoma is to have a comprehensive dilated eye exam to detect the disease in its early stages. 


By catching the disease early, it allows people to get treatments that can slow or prevent vision loss. Treatments for glaucoma include prescription eye drops, laser treatment and surgery.

The LighHouse Guide offers some advice on keeping an eye out for this sneaky disease in a recent article posted here.