Improving Patient Knowledge of Discharge Medications in an Oncology Setting

Discharge medications for a patient with cancer typically are numerous and complex. During the transition between inpatient stays and ambulatory follow-up visits, patients commonly misunderstand medication instructions, placing them at risk for under- or overdosing. This column discusses the results of an evidence-based practice change project at the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance to improve adult patient knowledge and use of discharge medications. Ensuring patient receipt of written discharge medication instructions, and checking in with patients after discharge may be an approach to maximize the safety of self-administered medication.