title: SAFE Medication Management for Patients with Physical Impairments of Stroke, Part One.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This article focuses on the extensive impairments of stroke and their influence on medication management. The impairments of motor skills due to paralysis-loss of mobility and balance, lack of hand-to-mouth coordination, and difficulty swallowing-are discussed. A future article will discuss sensory impairments of vision, hearing, cognition, comprehension, communication, and emotional disorders and how these impairments influence medication management.
  
  
  METHODS
  Each of the impairments are presented and discussed, and possible interventions are proposed. Every patient is an individual and requires variable care plans.
  
  
  METHODS
  Intervention strategies that include tools for patient assessment, practice tips, and devices available to assist the patient and family in safe medication management are presented.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patient outcomes and successes vary, but the strategies outlined will return the patient to as close to previous capabilities as possible.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Teaching SAFE (Systematic, Accurate, Functional, Effective) medication management to the patient, family, and caregivers will increase medication safety and decrease the number of adverse effects. The rehabilitation nurse is charged with evaluating the patients' needs and developing strategies to assist them to manage their medications.
authors.affiliation: Talbert Medical Group, Anaheim, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Yetzer
authors.affiliation: Talbert Medical Group, Anaheim, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Blake
authors.affiliation: Garden Grove Community Center, Orange, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Goetsch
authors.affiliation: Talbert Medical Group, Anaheim, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shook
authors.affiliation: Talbert Medical Group, Anaheim, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Marilyn
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: St Paul
mesh_terms: D001259:Ataxia; D003142:Communication; D003680:Deglutition Disorders; D006801:Humans; D055118:Medication Adherence; D051346:Mobility Limitation; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000193:education; D010243:Paralysis / Q000451:nursing / Q000534:rehabilitation; D004856:Postural Balance; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D019145:Rehabilitation Nursing / Q000193:education* / Q000379:methods*; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods*; D012651:Self Medication / Q000451:nursing*; D020521:Stroke / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000451:nursing; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation
keywords: Stroke impairments; medication safety/error reduction; patient assessment; practice tips and devices