title: Unit dose calendar packaging and elderly patient compliance.
abstract: A controlled trial of the effect of a unit dose system of tablet/capsule calendar packaging (Webster-Pak) on the rate of successful self medication both in hospital and after discharge to the community has been completed in a geriatric assessment and rehabilitation unit. Eighty-four elderly patients, 45 using calendar packs (study), and 39 using conventional bottles or packs (control), were followed for three months after discharge. There was a significant improvement in patient compliance in the study group over controls on discharge (86.7% vs 66.7%), 10 days (68.8% vs 41.0%), one month (64.4% vs 38.5%) and three months (48.9% vs 23.1%) after discharge. Unit dose packaging is a cost effective method of improving the delivery of medicine in elderly patients, and should be available as part of the health budget.
authors.affiliation: Auckland Hospital.
authors.forename: G J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Ware
authors.forename: N H
authors.initials: NH
authors.lastname: Holford
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Davison
authors.forename: R G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Harris
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004349:Drug Packaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008509:Medication Systems; D009520:New Zealand; D010349:Patient Compliance; D012646:Self Administration / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology