Hospital Systems Begin Integrating Supplement Tracking in Patient Records

Electronic Health Records Expand to Include Supplement Data

Leading hospital systems across the United States are implementing new protocols to systematically document patients' dietary supplement use in electronic health records (EHRs), marking a significant shift in how healthcare providers approach medication safety.

The initiative addresses a critical gap in patient care: an estimated 70% of Americans use dietary supplements, yet fewer than half disclose this information to their physicians. This lack of communication has led to preventable adverse drug interactions and complications during medical procedures.

Why This Matters for Patient Safety

Several major health networks, including Cleveland Clinic and Mayo Clinic, have integrated supplement screening into their standard intake procedures. Pharmacists and nurses now routinely ask about:

• Herbal supplements and botanicals
• Vitamins and minerals
• Protein powders and sports nutrition products
• Probiotics and digestive supplements

The change comes as research reveals potentially dangerous interactions between common supplements and prescription medications. For example, St. John's Wort can reduce the effectiveness of birth control pills and blood thinners, while high-dose vitamin E may increase bleeding risk during surgery.

Technology Enables Better Screening

New EHR modules flag potential interactions automatically, alerting physicians when a patient's supplement regimen may conflict with prescribed medications or upcoming procedures. Patients can also use tools like the PharmoniQ Drug Interaction Checker to review their complete supplement and medication list before appointments.

Healthcare experts expect this practice to become industry standard within the next two years, improving medication reconciliation and reducing preventable adverse events.