As we enter the flu season the media have reported numerous tips on how to stay healthy. While actively preventing illness is important to your health, there is another aspect which has received little attention. This is keeping track of your medical history so doctors know how best to treat you.

According to a research paper published in BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making, “in a study of errors in medication prescribing, 30% were related to knowledge in drug therapy and 29% were due to a lack of patient information.”

It is vitally important for all people to know their medical history and to keep track of all medications prescribed to them. However, most people don’t take the time or make the effort to keep a written record. A simple solution is to use the free pamphlet now provided by Soderlund Village Drug in St. Peter and Shopko in Mankato. The friendly pharmacists will even help you fill it out! If you don’t want to stop in to either location, you can print off your own pamphlet here.

Ensure yourself the top healthcare possible and start tracking your medical history today!

Matt Crea ‘10