Special considerations for the geriatric population.
Health care providers can be the eyes and ears of patient safety when it comes to medication administration. Simply asking questions about the medication and dose can avert a drug-drug interaction or save the patient's life. When caring for the older adult, question if the drug is right for this patient; if the dose is correct or if it has been adjusted to start at a lower dose; if the patient has renal or kidney dysfunctions that may further affect dosing; and if the patient has been thoroughly assessed for swallowing, cognitive, and physical disorders [22]. Remember that confusion may be an early sign of an adverse drug event. Health care providers can be the first line of defense in reducing adverse medication events in the older adult.
Hall
Cynthia
C
The Center for Professional Excellence, Rehabilitation Unit, The Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas 77030, USA. cdhallapn@att.net
D000368:Aged / Q000502:physiology; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D005851:Geriatric Nursing; D006801:Humans; D008508:Medication Errors / Q000517:prevention & control*