Registered nurses' medication management of the elderly in aged care facilities.
BACKGROUND
Data on adverse drug reactions (ADRs) showed a rising trend in the elderly over 65 years using multiple medications.


OBJECTIVE
To identify registered nurses' (RNs) knowledge of medication management and ADRs in the elderly in aged care facilities; evaluate an education programme to increase pharmacology knowledge and prevent ADRs in the elderly; and develop a learning programme with a view to extending provision, if successful.


METHODS
This exploratory study used a non-randomized pre- and post-test one group quasi-experimental design without comparators. It comprised a 23-item knowledge-based test questionnaire, one-hour teaching session and a self-directed learning package. The volunteer sample was RNs from residential aged care facilities, involved in medication management. Participants sat a pre-test immediately before the education, and post-test 4 weeks later (same questionnaire). Participants' perceptions obtained.


RESULTS
Pre-test sample n = 58, post-test n = 40, attrition rate of 31%. Using Microsoft Excel 2000, descriptive statistical data analysis of overall pre- and post-test incorrect responses showed: pre-test proportion of incorrect responses = 0.40; post-test proportion of incorrect responses = 0.27; Z-test comparing pre- and post-tests scores of incorrect responses = 6.55 and one-sided P-value = 2.8E-11 (P < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Pre-test showed knowledge deficits in medication management and ADRs in the elderly; post-test showed statistically significant improvement in RNs' knowledge. It highlighted a need for continuing professional education. Further studies are required on a larger sample of RNs in other aged care facilities, and on the clinical impact of education by investigating nursing practice and elderly residents' outcomes.
Lim
L M
LM
School of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Health, Science and Engineering, Victoria University, Melbourne City MC, Vic. 14428, Australia. meng.lim@vu.edu.au
Chiu
L H
LH
Dohrmann
J
J
Tan
K-L
KL
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004358:Drug Therapy / Q000451:nursing*; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006707:Homes for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008508:Medication Errors / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008509:Medication Systems; D008875:Middle Aged; D009735:Nursing Homes; D019338:Polypharmacy; D014739:Victoria