Welcome to Check Up 13, in partnering with St. Vincent

WTHR, Channel 13, and Anne Marie Tiernon, co-anchor and health reporter, have partnered with St. Vincent, a member of Ascension, the nation's largest Catholic and not-for-profit health system, on an initiative called Check Up 13. The goal of the program is to educate and encourage Indiana residents to take a proactive role in their own health. Check Up 13 includes news stories that will air on the 13th of every month during the Health Beat segment. The program will highlight St. Vincent medical staff and focus on the health topic screening, event or promotion for that month.

A Complimentary Medication Consult for Seniors

To help prevent serious health complications associated with potentially unsafe medication interactions, WTHR-13 is partnering with the St. Vincent Center for Healthy Aging and St. Vincent Pharmacists to offer free evaluations for older adults currently on multiple medications.

When the number of medications an individual takes increases, so does the likelihood of an adverse drug event. An adverse drug event is any harm resulting from the use of medication. Related problems include allergic reactions, side effects, overmedication, and medication errors.

• Those taking 1 to 5 prescription medications have a 5 percent chance of experiencing an adverse drug event.
• Individuals taking 6 to 10 medications increase the chance to 10 percent.
• If an elderly patient is taking 11 to 15 medications, which is not uncommon in this population, the chance of an adverse drug event increases to almost 30 percent.
• Many of these adverse effects are preventable with early intervention.

Side Effects from medication interactions and over-medication can include:

• Confusion
• Dry mouth
• Constipation or diarrhea
• Sleepiness/drowsiness
• Increase in falls/unsteadiness
• Feelings of anxiety and/or depression

As the American population has aged, the number of adults diagnosed with chronic illnesses has increased. In total, 82 percent of American adults take at least one medication and 29 percent of adults take 5 or more medications. However, recent studies indicate that only 50 percent of patients take medications appropriately for chronic illness, which can lead to a number of preventable problems.

Pharmacists provide medication therapy management to help patients get the best benefits from their medications by actively managing drug therapy and by identifying, preventing, and resolving medication-related problems.

If you are taking multiple medications and feel your quality of life could be better, please participate in our one-on-one consultation with our St. Vincent pharmacists. A consultation will consist of reviewing your current list of medications, when you take your medications, how much of the medication you take at once, how long you have been on this medication and identify potential solutions to medication related issues.

Who should participate in this screening?

• Age 55 years or older
• Currently taking 5 or more medications (including any over the counter supplements/medicines)
• Have questions or concerns about your current medications

Please bring the following when you come for your medication consultation with St. Vincent Pharmacists and the St. Vincent Center for Healthy Aging:

• Bring all medications in their original containers: including prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins and supplements, and medications taken as needed. If medications are being administered by a nursing staff, have the facility provide a copy of the current medication list (instead of the containers). Be sure to bring the name of physician and office/fax number that prescribed each medication in the event our pharmacists would need to contact them.
• Bring any medication dispensing aids that you use: example would be a pill box that you fill up weekly

We look forward to you joining us for our Free Medication Consult at one or our many convenient St. Vincent locations for this month’s ‘Check Up 13’.