Universal Medication List (UML)
To improve medication safety in Tennessee, the Tennessee Pharmacists Association adopted a Universal Medication List (UML) in 2007 as the first step in a project to provide medication information across the continuum of care. Patients are urged to carry an up-to-date medication and allergy list with them at all times, to be available at entry and exit from all healthcare encounters. The UML is available for download in the following 10 languages:
| Translations were generously provided to TPA in 2012 by Thoa Bui, PharmD, then a student pharmacist at Lipscomb University College of Pharmacy, with the help of her classmates, under the supervision of associate professor Kam Nola, PharmD. | |
The resources linked below may help healthcare providers and patients learn more about the importance of the UML in the continuum of patient care.
Introduction – provides information about how the UML can be used to promote patient health and safety.
Poster to print and display in a pharmacy, physician office, or any healthcare location. The primary message of the poster is that everyone should keep track of his or her personal medications and carry an up-to-date medication list at all times.
“Use of a Universal Medication List to Enhance Continuity of Care in Tennessee” (PowerPoint) – can be used to make short presentations to healthcare providers, such as pharmacy organizations in districts throughout the state, hospital staff who could incorporate use of the UML in their practice, physicians in the community, nurses, PAs, etc.
Teaching Plan – can be used by pharmacists to make short interactive presentations in the community, such as in church groups and support groups, to educate the public on why and how medications should be used safely.
NTOCC “Taking Care of MY Health Care” guide – This tool was developed by the NTOCC (National Transitions of Care Coalition) Tools and Resources Work Group. It has been through numerous reviews with the group, by social workers, and a literacy review. The NTOCC Advisory Task Force approved it on September 16, 2008, at their meeting in Washington DC. This tool was developed as a guide for patients and their caregivers to use so they can be better prepared about what kind of information and questions they need to ask. when they see a healthcare professional. NTOCC’s goal was to keep it simple; as a guide, to open the lines of communication, and at the minimum, to provide patients with a convenient, simple format to have an updated list of their medications and what the next step in their care would be.
“Transitions of Care” Checklist – This list provides a detailed description of effective patient transfer between practice settings. Implementing this process developed by NTOCC can help to ensure that patients and their critical medical information are transferred safely, timely, and efficiently.
ASHP’s “My Medicine List” is another type of medication list with instructions on use. The goal of the personal medicine list is to help patients improve their understanding of their current medicine regimens, including why they need to take the medication and for how long.
“Collaborative Development and Implementation of a Universal Medication List” is a PowerPoint poster presented at the ASHP Summer Meeting, June 2008. This poster provides a short summary of the Patient Continuum of Care project initiated by TPA.
