A practical guide to prescribing in nursing homes. Avoiding the pitfalls.
The abundant use of drugs in nursing homes demands special attention. Inappropriate indications and dosages, and lack of monitoring of drug-related effects and adverse reactions in patients are problems which can easily be solved. Knowledge of basic aspects of geriatric pharmacokinetics, and of basic rules and the main pitfalls involved in prescribing drugs for the elderly is essential, and demands both training of personnel and a change in prevailing attitudes.
Seppälä
M
M
Department of Geriatrics, University of Turku, Finland.
Sourander
L
L
D000375:Aging / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D062787:Drug Overdose; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards*; D005851:Geriatric Nursing / Q000592:standards; D006299:Health Services for the Aged / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D009735:Nursing Homes / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010599:Pharmacokinetics; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D000078329:Workforce