Rutherford Regional Expands Medication Education to Improve Patient Care

Rutherford Regional Health System is enhancing the patient experience by strengthening how patients and families receive medication education prior to discharge—an important step in supporting patients as they recover from illness or injury and prepare to continue healing at home.

As part of this initiative, Rutherford Regional has implemented a new inpatient medication education process for patients approaching discharge. A hospital pharmacist now visits the patient’s room to review each medication the patient will be prescribed and expected to take after discharge. These conversations include the patient’s family members or care team, when available, and provide a clear, easy-to-understand overview of the medication's purpose, safety considerations, potential side effects, interactions with other medications, and recommendations for proper use.

Human interaction is the key component of this process. By communicating at a level patients can understand and creating space for questions, pharmacists help reduce confusion and empower patients to feel more confident in managing their care once they return home. This approach supports safer transitions from the hospital to home and helps patients better understand how their care and recovery plans fit into their everyday routines and lifestyle.

“Listening to our patients is essential to improving the care we provide,” said Sudandra Ratnasamy, Chief Executive Officer of Rutherford Regional Health System. “The feedback our patients share with us matters. This enhanced process is a direct result of what our community told us they needed, and it reflects our commitment to continuously improving the patient experience through compassionate, personalized care.”

Medication education is a vital part of the healing process, helping patients understand their treatment, use medications safely, and support long-term health and wellness. Developed in direct response to patient feedback, this initiative reflects Rutherford Regional Health System’s mission of making communities healthier by putting patients, understanding, and compassion at the center of care.