Guelph General Hospital has implemented a new policy allowing emergency department nurses to permit Parkinson's patients to take their own medications brought from home. This change addresses a critical issue where delays in medication administration in busy ERs can have severe, long-lasting negative effects for Parkinson's patients, particularly concerning Levodopa. The policy is praised as "life-changing" and is unique in Canada.
Small but 'life-changing' policy helps Parkinson's patients who need emergency care at Guelph's hospital
Guelph NewsCanadaGuelphOntarioMedicationParkinson's diseaseEmergency careStress
AI Summary
TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️Guelph General Hospital has implemented a new policy allowing emergency department nurses to permit Parkinson's patients to take their own medications brought from home. This change addresses a critical issue where delays in medication administration in busy ERs can have severe, long-lasting negative effects for Parkinson's patients, particularly concerning Levodopa. The policy is praised as "life-changing" and is unique in Canada.
- 1 Past: Hospitals had policy against patients taking own meds.
- 2 Past few months: Ian Smith visited Guelph General Hospital three times.
- 3 Recently: Guelph General Hospital implemented new policy.
- 4 Recently: Guelph General Hospital approved directive with ED teams and medical advisory committee.
- Patients can take medications on time
- Prevents severe, long-lasting symptoms from missed doses
- Reduces stress for patients and medical professionals
- Helps patients go home quicker
- Improves overall hospital experience for Parkinson's patients
What: Guelph General Hospital implemented a new policy allowing emergency department nurses to permit Parkinson's patients to take their own medications brought from home.
When: Recently (policy made a tweak); in the past few months (Ian Smith's hospital visits).
Where: Guelph General Hospital, Guelph, Ontario, Canada, southwestern Ontario.
Why: To address the problem of Parkinson's patients not getting medications on time in emergency departments, which can lead to severe and long-lasting symptoms; to reduce stress for patients and medical professionals; to improve patient experience and allow quicker discharge.
How: Emergency department nurse is able to give permission to Parkinson's patients to take medication they brought from home, following specific guidelines.