Bringing your own prescription when admitted to hospital

You raise a very interesting topic for discussion, Bill.
There are certainly several perspectives to consider. I can certainly understand the financial implications and your not wanting to purchase medications, perhaps at a higher price, that you already have.

Patient safety is the sole reason that hospitals have protocols regarding medications during hospital stay. Here are some of the reasons why.
The use of a patient’s own medication(s) is discouraged for safety reasons, namely because the storage and handling prior to the hospitalization is unknown. But a patient’s own medication may be used if the patient has written order of the physician or other authorized prescriber. For each medication, the order should specify the medication, dose, frequency, indication, and route. All medication that has been brought in is given to a pharmacist for identification. If the medication cannot be identified, the medication may not be administered.

Thanks for raising awareness about how Medicare parts B and D cover (or don't cover) prescription drugs while in hospital for outpatient settings like an emergency department, observation unit, surgery
center, or pain clinic. It is well explained in this document.
- How Medicare Covers Self-Administered Drugs Given in Hospital Outpatient Settings: https://www.medicare.gov/Pubs/pdf/11333-Outpatient-Self-Administered-Drugs.pdf

Bill, it sounds like you may not have had pre-warning of your hospital admission and therefore were unable to obtain written order from your prescribing doctor. I'm glad that Mayo Clinic was able to accommodate you and that they will administer the medications you brought in.

Maybe the hospital is more worried about lawsuits than the patients rights! Upon discharge what do they tell you to do "continue taking your medications at home" If they were so concerned about the storage and handling wouldn't they refill the medications and how would they know how you would store, handle and use them at home.... maybe have a home nurse? The written orders are with the prescription, that number is on the original container, with instructions, they can always check with the issuing pharmacy. Remember I had the original containers. It seems to me the people that pay for: insurance, co-pays, deductibles and other charges AND HAVE THE MOST TO LOSE.... THEIR LIVES, seem to have the least to say about their health care. That only highlights the worst form of cancer in our capitalistic society....GREED. Then there is the Mayo Motto, "The needs of the patient above ALL else."

i just want to add, I think MAYO is the BEST place to get medical help, but I also remember my 4-H motto "To make the BEST BETTER.

Here I thought Mayo Connect was different, but I guess not. Why did you remove an honest post of mine, as you will probably remove this one also.

Please see the Community Guidelines, item number 6. https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/about-connect/tab/community-guidelines/

Bill, you raise a very good point about the policies regarding bringing medications to the hospital. I can hear that you are frustrated, and venting is certainly allowed. But let's continue to contribute to this discussion in order to be constructive. It is good information so that fellow patients can learn to be prepared when being admitted to a hospital.

@waterboy
Hello Bill,
I've had a number of confrontations regarding bringing my own medications.
I have brand-name anti-seizure medication’s because I have epilepsy and I’m sensitive do the changes between brand and generic and different manufacturers of generic drugs.
To make things easier I tell the doctor I'll be bringing my own meds and I won't take any hospital seizure meds to make sure I am given my own meds.
I agree That hospitals are more interested in the bottom line they are their patients. That was proven to me in a rehab facility when they were supposed to be helping me to walk more independently But they consistently insisted where are use a cane or a wheelchair which I refused to do so they put an alarm on my bed which I disconnected. One day I had a doctors appointment and when I came back they told me I was discharged. I have no doubt that I did much better at home on my own than staying there relying on a cane or a wheelchair.
I know how infuriating it can be.
I was hospitalized for MRSA and was in & out of it for a while and when I fully came to I demanded my levels checked and they were low.
Take care,
Jake

I am the spouse and care giver of a man that 1 year ago had a liver transplant because of liver cancer. Care after a liver transplant is planned in a very strict schedule. He is supposed to take his medications at the same times every day, some AM some PM. Over the past year he has had medical issues that have led to him being admitted to a hospital. Upon admission we tell the hospital staff about this required routine for his medications but we may as well be talking to a wall on this subject. I bring with him a recorded list of his medications and dosages prescribed by his liver transplant team and ask that they coordinate with the team on further medications but they behave as though we are invading their territory by trying to keep him on his schedule. They tell us they have two hour window to dispense medications which translates into they bring some of medications at various times as they choose and stop medications without explanation or increase dosages without explanation or discussion. The staff just brings drugs in and hand him the plastic cups to take them and expect that he will blindly just take them. He is on 9 different medications at present which has been trimmed several times over the past year just after the surgery he was on twice that many. He can't keep up and know he has had all that he needs to take in this dispensing whenever manner they use. Why can't we just bring his medications from home and let him take them on schedule and they can handle whatever new medicine he needs?

I understand your concerns / frustration, but not all patients are honest.

A dis-honest patient might substitute pills in bottle's with other pills, maybe something illegal or pills they are not suppose to be taking. Then the nurse/pharmacist must research each pill to determine if valid. If do not take time to research, they risk giving patient something harmful.

You were smart to talk to dr before going to hosp and express your concern and coming up with solution.

The nurse/pharmacist at hospital / clinic are employees and do not want want to lose their job by not following rules / policies.

Laurie

@patient0, oh this must be very concerning for you. Being the caregiver of someone who has had a transplant is an important job. It's obvious that you and the liver transplant recipient are honoring the "gift of life" by following medication protocols as prescribed by your transplant medical team.

I'm tagging a few transplant recipients and caregivers like @gingerw @myfablife @rosemarya @loribmt @danab @tasher3433 @nkdonahue to invite their thoughts on this.

@patient0, is he being admitted to the same hospital where he had the transplant? Might you get a letter from his transplant team regarding the importance of scheduled administration of his medications? Might you speak to the Office of Patient Experience about your concerns?

@parient0 Oh, dear! Adherence to medication schedules is critical, definitely! I haven't had that experience with my husband [he is a kidney recipient] having to be admitted to the hospital. I would go up the chain of command as far as need be, to make sure he gets those meds as prescribed by his transplant team. Start with the nursing supervisor, get the patient advocate involved, social worker, and if you have to, go to the hospital administration. If his transplant team will also communicate to the hospital the importance of his medications, it might help.

Would they consider leaving his meds with him, for him to take at the correct times?
Ginger