Home Care Quality Measures -
Percent of Patients Who Get Better at Taking Their Medicines Correctly by Mouth

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This percentage addresses the ratio of patients who get better at taking their medicines correctly, and includes only medicines the patient takes by mouth. Higher percentages are better.

Why is this important?

Some patients take medicines by mouth to control different diseases or conditions. It is important that they take the right medicines at the right times and in the right amounts. Medicines include those prescribed by a doctor, as well as over-the-counter (OTC) medicines that don't need a prescription like pain relievers, vitamins, laxatives and antacids.

For medicines to work properly, they need to be taken correctly. If someone takes too much or too little medicine, it can keep him or her from feeling better and, in some cases, can make them sicker, confused (which could affect their safety), or even cause death. Home care staff can help teach each patient ways to organize their medicines and take them properly. Getting better at taking medicines correctly means the home care agency is doing a good job teaching the patient these skills.

If a patient can take medicines correctly little help, he or she may be more independent, feel better and stay more active, which can affect health in a positive way. The ability to take medicines correctly may help them live independently as long as possible in their own home.

Patients should tell their doctor and home care staff:
• all the medicines they take, including over-the counter medicines,
• if they are allergic or have had a bad reaction (like rashes or dizziness) to any medicine in the past, or
• if the medicine doesn’t seem to help their symptoms (for example, if they still hurt after taking pain medication).

Some patients will lose function in their basic daily activities even though the home care agency provides good care.

The U.S. and state averages for this measure were provided by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).