Medication-related problems commonly occurring in an Australian community setting.
OBJECTIVE
This study characterised medication-related problems in 1000 Australian patients living in the community, and who were considered at risk of medication misadventure.


METHODS
A review was undertaken of 1000 clinical case notes, developed during the delivery of medication management reviews. Patient demographics, medications used, medical conditions and medication-related problems were categorised according to established classification systems. Descriptive analyses were undertaken.


RESULTS
Overall, 2222 problems were identified. Ninety per cent of patients had at least one medication-related problem. One in three people were found to require additional monitoring, one in four required additional medication, one in four were using the wrong or inappropriate medication and one in five were using insufficient medication. Cardiovascular, nervous system, alimentary and respiratory medicines were most commonly implicated, accounting for 69% of the medication-related problems.


CONCLUSIONS
This analysis reveals the need for ongoing vigilance of, and support for, people at high risk of medication misadventure. This information is also useful for informing the design of public health or health promotion strategies aiming to reduce the prevalence of these problems.
Roughead
E E
EE
Quality Use of Medicines and Pharmacy Research Centre, School of Pharmaceutical, Molecular and Biomedical Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia. libby.roughead@unisa.edu.au
Barratt
J D
JD
Gilbert
A L
AL
D000368:Aged; D001315:Australia; D011307:Drug Prescriptions; D004363:Drug Utilization; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008508:Medication Errors / Q000191:economics; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012307:Risk Factors
D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations