Risk of adverse drug events by patient destination after hospital discharge.
OBJECTIVE
The prevalence of risk factors for adverse drug events (ADEs) in patients discharged from the hospital to various care settings was studied.


METHODS
Data on patient risk characteristics for ADEs were collected for hospital discharges for 2000. Differences in the prevalence of 10 risk characteristics among home health care (HHC), self-care (SC), and long-term-care (LTC) patients at the point of discharge were determined.


RESULTS
Data for 4250 discharges were analyzed. The three groups differed significantly in the distribution of risk characteristics. HHC patients had the highest prevalence of heart failure, cardiovascular medication use, and polypharmacy, and LTC patients had the highest prevalence of hypoalbuminemia, cognitive impairment, and psychiatric drug use.


CONCLUSIONS
The risk of ADEs in patients discharged to HHC appeared to be comparable to or higher than that in patients discharged to LTC.
Triller
Darren M
DM
Albany College of Pharmacy, Albany, NY 12208, USA.
Clause
Steven L
SL
Hamilton
Robert A
RA
D016907:Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting Systems; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002317:Cardiovascular Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006699:Home Care Services; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D034141:Hypoalbuminemia / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008134:Long-Term Care; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010351:Patient Discharge; D019338:Polypharmacy; D012307:Risk Factors; D014149:Tranquilizing Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D002317:Cardiovascular Agents; D014149:Tranquilizing Agents