Pill organizer

A pill organizer

A pill organizer, pill container, or pill box is a special box for storing scheduled doses of one's medications. Pill organizers are usually made with compartments for each day of the week.^[1] Some have sections for different times of the day. Pill organizers are viewed as a way to prevent or reduce medication errors on the part of the patient.^[2]

Pill organizers are useful for all types of patients, including the elderly and others with memory deficiencies, and for those taking multiple medications as an aid in remembering to take proper doses of their medications. They allow a patient to know whether or not they have taken a particular dose of their medication, since if a pill still remains in its compartment, it shows that it has not been taken, whereas if it is missing, it has been taken.^[3][4]

Pill organizers often have various features that make them easier for those with special needs to use, such as color-coding, braille for the blind, or a locking mechanism to prevent double dosing.^[5] Some used for diabetes patients have sections for insulin and syringes.

Some pharmacists will place pills in pill organizers for their patients.^[6]

Electronic pill organizers

Some pill organizers have alarms to alert patients when doses need to be taken.^[5]

More recently, electronic pill organizers have been invented that alert patients when their medication must be taken. These have been credited with saving lives and saving a lot of money in the health care system.^[7] These can be linked via the internet to a medical facility to aid in reminding a patient to take his/her medications.^[8]

References

1. ^ "American Medical Association Guide ... - Google Books". Books.google.com. http://books.google.com/books?id=4iSoMzkwStMC&pg=PA244&dq=%22pill+organizer%22&as_brr=3&ie=ISO-8859-1&output=html. Retrieved 2011-04-10. 
2. ^ http://www.hsvvoice.com/news/2008/0820/health_news/161.html
3. ^ "Heart to heart, a personal plan for ... - Google Books". Books.google.com. http://books.google.com/books?id=X_z3FF5WSU4C&pg=PA210&dq=%22pill+organizer%22&as_brr=3&ie=ISO-8859-1&output=html. Retrieved 2011-04-10. 
4. ^ "At-Home Accidents - How to Prevent and Treat at-home Accidents". Dentalplans.com. 2005-06-21. http://www.dentalplans.com/articles/1055/. Retrieved 2011-04-10. 
5. ^ ^{a b} "Tools and Techniques for Visual Impairment (Page 5)". Diabetes Self-Management. 2007-01-30. http://www.diabetesselfmanagement.com/Articles/Eyes-And-Vision/tools_and_techniques_for_visual_impairment/5/. Retrieved 2011-04-10. 
6. ^ Friday, November 14, 2003 - Page updated at 04:01 P.M. (2003-11-14). "The Seattle Times: Local News: Stakes high to help those with chronic diseases". Seattletimes.nwsource.com. http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2001788090_agedisease11m.html. Retrieved 2011-04-10. 
7. ^ "University Of Montreal Students Design Argus, A High-tech Pill Organizer - Could Help Save Lives And Money". Medicalnewstoday.com. http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/124881.php. Retrieved 2011-04-10. 
8. ^ Kirsner, Scott (2009-08-30). "New gadgets prod people to remember their meds - The Boston Globe". Boston.com. http://www.boston.com/business/healthcare/articles/2009/08/30/new_gadgets_prod_people_to_remember_their_meds/. Retrieved 2011-04-10.