Drug history medical records

Evaluate the patient s medical record and medication history, and conduct a patient interview to assess for the presence of drug allergies, adverse drug reactions, and drug interactions. 

In advising Mr AP on reducing the risk of this it would be important to enquire as to what other medications he is currently on, in order to identify any other constipating drugs. This information could be supported by checking the pharmacy electronic computer records for his drug history. 

Access to a patient s medical records is essential to the provision of collaborative drug therapy management. In fact, it is only under these conditions, wherein the phamiacist has adequate knowledge of the patient and the patient s history, disease states, drug therapy, and laboratory and procedure results, that quality care can be rendered. Much work is being done in this area, via computerization of medical records and network facilitation of electronic data, to ensure this key element is in place to facilitate patient care by health care providers. 

The medical record is another source of medication and health-related information. Access to this record may be limited in certain practice settings however, it can be a valuable tool to review prior to conducting your patient drug history interview. Some practitioners use medical release forms to obtain medical record information such as laboratory data from other institutions required for drug therapy monitoring. 

Drug interactions with this new classification of atypical medications are multiple. Therefore, it is essential to take a thorough medication history. Clozapine (Clozaril), risperidone (Risperdal), sertindole (Serlect), olanzapine (Zyprexa), and quentiapine (Seroquel) are fairly new and a long history of use in the practice setting has not been established. There are many side effects and possible interactions that have not been discovered yet. It is imperative that potential drug interactions be recorded and monitored closely for changes in efficacy, toxicity, and if applicable, drug concentration (Lam, 2000). 

Be sure that the prescriber has the medical record or an accurate history and update of all medications a client is taking, including a listing of any known drug allergies. 

The primary care provider also may order laboratory and di nostic tests, such as an electrocardiogram, renal and hepatic function tests, complete blood count, serum enzyme, and serum electrolytes. Th e tests should be reviewed before the first dose of the drugis given. Renal function is particularly important because a diminished renal function could affect the dos e of digoxin. When subsequent laboratory tests are ordered, they also should be reviewed when the results are recorded on the patient s record. Because digoxin reacts with many medications, the nurse must take a careful drug history. 

HIV infection in humans is now pandemic. As of January 2006, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and the World Health Organization (WHO) estimate that AIDS has killed more than 25 million people since it was first recognized on December 1, 1981, making it one of the most destructive pandemics in recorded history. Antiretroviral treatment reduces both the mortality and the morbidity of HIV infection, but routine access to antiretroviral medication is not available in all countries. An alternative therapy to circumvent this problem is the use of polyanionic substances, which demonstrated a number of promising features as potential anti-HIV drug candidates. In this respect, various SPs (e.g., heparin, DS, dextrin sulfate, cyclo dextrin sulfate, curdlan sulfate, pentosan polysulfate, mannan sulfate, sulfoevernan, and fucoidan) and derivatives thereof (e.g., O-acylated heparin, polyacetal polysulfate, polyvinyl alcohol sulfate, and modified cyclo dextrin sulfates) have been found to inhibit HIV replication in vitro at concentrations that are up to 10 000-fold lower than the cytotoxic concentration [2,71]. 

The immediate uptake of iproniazid for use in people with depression illustrates the appetite that existed for a pharmacological treatment for this sort of problem. Kline himself later commented that probably no drug in history was so widely used so soon after the announcement of its application in the treatment of a specific disease. Kline attributed this partly to the fact that iproniazid was already available because it was a recognised treatment for tuberculosis, but he also records the feeling of the time that there was an overwhelming need for an effective antidepressant medication (Kline 1970, p. 202). 

Allergic reactions to commonly used amide anesthetics are rare. To identify patients with true allergic reactions, a careful history should be recorded regarding prior anesthesia. Attention should be placed on the offending drug, route of administration, concurrent medications. 

Keep in mind that medications and other drugs are a very common cause of emotional symptoms—this includes prescription, nonprescription, and other recreational drugs and alcohol. Obtaining collateral history from family members may be helpful. Also conducting the "bag test"—having the person bring in all (this cannot be stressed too much) medications he or she is taking for the therapist to see and make a record of. 

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