Travel Planning Tips

If you are planning to travel this summer, be sure to check the current COVID-19 information. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides updated travel information. To avoid delays, carry your COVID-19 vaccination card and take a photo of your card with your cell phone in the event you lose your wallet or handbag. Additionally, take an updated list of your current medications with you. This information will prove invaluable to health care providers in the event of a health crisis. If you are unsure about your current medications or dosages, please contact your Medical Center physician.

Automatic Pharmacy Refills and Delivery

Contact your Key Largo pharmacy and update the instructions for your automatically refilled prescriptions that are picked up by Public Safety. Once picked up by Public Safety, they cannot be returned or refilled by another pharmacy. This could leave you in a dilemma, especially with a critically needed medication. The Medical Center can support your off-season prescription needs by electronic communication with your preferred pharmacy.

Check for Expired Medications to Dispose

Solid dose over-the-counter medications like tablets and capsules appear to be the most stable past their expiration date. However, medications can and do change in potency depending on heat, light and humidity factors.

Expired prescriptions that contain preservatives, such as eye drops, may be unsafe past their expiration date. Outdated preservatives may allow bacterial growth in the solution. It’s a good practice to check the expiration dates on all of your medications and properly dispose of any that are past their prime.

Many medications are not good for the environment and shouldn’t be flushed into the sewage system. Sedatives or other narcotic-type medications should not be thrown in the trash unless they are crushed or dissolved and mixed into something unpalatable like coffee grounds. You can also drop them at the Medical Center or Public Safety’s drop box for proper disposal.

Have a safe and healthy summer, and we’ll see you next season!