title: Evaluation of a novel medication aid, the calendar blister-pak, and its effect on drug compliance in a geriatric outpatient clinic.
abstract: A prospective, controlled, crossover study on drug compliance was initiated in 22 elderly patients from a geriatric clinic. Half of the patients received their pills from a commercially prepared calendar mealtime blister-pak; the remaining patients received their medication from standard pill bottles. At the end of three months the two groups were crossed over. Pill count and issuance of a new drug supply were done monthly to assess compliance. It was found that the average noncompliance index was significantly decreased (9.17 to 2.04) with the blister-pak packaging system. The relationship of age, Folstein mini-mental status, overcompliance, frequency of dosing interval, and living situation were also explored.
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged / Q000523:psychology*; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004349:Drug Packaging / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012646:Self Administration / Q000295:instrumentation*