Color coding patient medications.

"When I first met Mr. K, he had just been discharged from the hospital, where he was treated for congestive heart failure. This was his third admission this year--his physician thought he might not be taking his medications correctly. The doctor had referred him to our home care agency for instructions in taking his medications and for cardiopulmonary assessment." A home care nurse explains how she developed a simple medication coding method to ensure an elderly patient's independence--and health.