Medication safety planning after discharge

Best first step: Use the discharge medication list and discharge instructions as the main reference after Brookhaven care. If portal information, pharmacy information, or proxy access does not match, ask Brookhaven which record is current and what can be shared.

• Medication safety planning may include sensitive behavioral health, safety, and discharge information.
• Support people may not be able to see all medication safety details in the portal without authorization.
• Some discharge instructions may be visible to the patient but limited for proxy accounts.
• Medication safety notes may be delayed, summarized, restricted, or routed through a records request process.
• Portal medication history may not show the full safety plan or the reason a medication was changed.
• If medication safety is urgent, contact the pharmacy, care team, follow-up provider, or emergency support directly.

Safety detail	Why it may be protected
Medication changes	May reveal symptoms, diagnosis, side effects, or safety concerns reviewed during care.
Safe storage instructions	May reveal overdose risk, self-harm concerns, misuse concerns, or household safety planning.
Support-person role	May reveal who is helping with medication access, reminders, storage, or monitoring.
Side-effect monitoring	May include sensitive symptoms, behavioral changes, or provider concerns.
Crisis or warning-sign instructions	May include safety planning that is not visible to every portal user.

Information type	How it may appear
Medication list	May show active, inactive, changed, or historical medications depending on the portal view.
Discharge instructions	May include final medication directions, pharmacy pickup, and next-dose timing.
Safety instructions	May be summarized, delayed, restricted, or discussed separately with the patient.
Refill information	May show request options, refill status, or instructions to contact a provider or pharmacy.
Proxy view	May show less information than the patient view depending on privacy settings and authorization.

• The patient can see details that a proxy account cannot see.
• The medication safety plan includes sensitive behavioral health information.
• The safety plan was reviewed verbally before discharge.
• The plan is included in discharge instructions rather than the medication list.
• A pharmacy record has not updated yet.
• A note is delayed, restricted, or pending provider review.
• The medication is managed by an outside provider after discharge.
• The support person does not have the authorization needed to view medication details.

Important: A support person can help with medication safety only when the patient agrees or when legal authority applies. Medication privacy may still limit what Brookhaven can share.

• Ask whether the patient wants a support person involved in medication planning.
• Ask what the support person can see in the portal.
• Ask whether a release, proxy setting, or legal document is needed.
• Ask whether the support person can receive safe storage or warning-sign instructions.
• Ask who should be contacted if the medication plan becomes unclear at home.

Proxy issue	What to check
Medication list not visible	Ask whether proxy access includes medication information.
Discharge instructions missing	Ask whether discharge documents are restricted, delayed, or visible only to the patient.
Safety instructions limited	Ask whether the patient authorized sharing of safety planning details.
Support person needs medication information	Ask whether a release, proxy update, or care-team discussion is needed.

• Ask whether the information is in discharge instructions, medication history, or clinical notes.
• Ask whether a note is delayed, restricted, or pending review.
• Ask whether the patient view differs from the proxy view.
• Ask whether a formal records request is needed.
• Ask whether authorization or legal documentation is needed for another person to receive the information.

1. Compare the discharge medication list with the portal medication list.
2. Check the pharmacy label and refill information.
3. Ask whether the portal is showing active medication or older history.
4. Ask whether proxy visibility is limited.
5. Contact the pharmacy if the issue is about pickup, label instructions, or refill status.
6. Contact Brookhaven or the follow-up prescriber if instructions conflict.

Do not wait for a portal access change, proxy update, records request, or routine message if the medication issue affects immediate safety, severe symptoms, allergic reaction, suspected overdose, withdrawal concern, missed critical medication, or thoughts of self-harm or harm to others.

• Call the pharmacy directly if the issue is about pickup, refill, or label instructions.
• Contact the care team or follow-up prescriber directly if instructions conflict.
• Seek urgent medical help for severe, sudden, allergic, or unsafe symptoms.
• If the patient feels unsafe or may harm themselves or someone else, seek immediate help.
• If the patient is still at Brookhaven, tell the assigned nurse or nearest staff member immediately.