Disciplines
Family Practice Nursing | Geriatric Nursing
Abstract (300 words maximum)
Abstract
Background: An increasing number of people are on multiple medications which is referred to as polypharmacy. Research has shown that polypharmacy increases the risk of adverse events related to medication errors, especially among elderly patients who are more sensitive to the effects of medication due to physiologic changes that occur due to aging. Information also exists on interventions that may decrease the likelihood of medication errors. However, there is a lack of research on the success of said interventions in preventing medication errors. This project aims to identify, develop, implement, and evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed interventions, such as conducting risk assessments for polypharmacy patients. Review: Many hospitalizations related to adverse drug events for older adults are due to a handful of medications, including blood thinners, diabetic medications, seizure medications, and opioid analgesics. A study found that risk assessments could help reduce the incidence of medication errors. Methods: Implement and conduct risk assessments based on evidence-based guidelines for polypharmacy patients. Evaluation: After three months, the effectiveness of the risk assessments will be evaluated by analyzing the number of medication errors that have occurred. This information will be compared to past data on medication errors.
Keywords: older adults, polypharmacy, medication errors, risk assessments
Academic department under which the project should be listed
Nursing
Primary Investigator (PI) Name
Christie Emerson and Nerma Redcross
Included in
Risk Assessments in the Reduction of Medication Errors in Older Adults with Polypharmacy
Abstract
Background: An increasing number of people are on multiple medications which is referred to as polypharmacy. Research has shown that polypharmacy increases the risk of adverse events related to medication errors, especially among elderly patients who are more sensitive to the effects of medication due to physiologic changes that occur due to aging. Information also exists on interventions that may decrease the likelihood of medication errors. However, there is a lack of research on the success of said interventions in preventing medication errors. This project aims to identify, develop, implement, and evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed interventions, such as conducting risk assessments for polypharmacy patients. Review: Many hospitalizations related to adverse drug events for older adults are due to a handful of medications, including blood thinners, diabetic medications, seizure medications, and opioid analgesics. A study found that risk assessments could help reduce the incidence of medication errors. Methods: Implement and conduct risk assessments based on evidence-based guidelines for polypharmacy patients. Evaluation: After three months, the effectiveness of the risk assessments will be evaluated by analyzing the number of medication errors that have occurred. This information will be compared to past data on medication errors.
Keywords: older adults, polypharmacy, medication errors, risk assessments