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Medication safety: a protocol for nursing action. NICHE Faculty
1College of Nursing, University of South Florida, Tampa, USA.
Geriatric Nursing (New York, N.Y.)
|May 8, 1999
Summary
Older adults experience significant medication-related adverse events, with many prescriptions written for them. This review explores how aging affects drug metabolism and suggests strategies to mitigate risks for seniors.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Clinical Pharmacology
- Pharmacoepidemiology
Background:
- Medication use is prevalent in older Americans, accounting for 25%-40% of U.S. prescriptions.
- Adverse drug events, therapeutic misadventure, and toxicity are significant concerns for this population.
- Hospital admissions for drug-related issues in elders can be as high as 33%.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine physiological changes associated with aging.
- To understand the impact of aging on medication absorption, distribution, and metabolism.
- To identify high-risk medications and propose strategies to manage adverse effects in older adults.
Main Methods:
- Review of physiological changes in aging.
- Analysis of pharmacokinetic alterations in elders.
- Identification of high-risk drug classes and adverse event mitigation strategies.
Main Results:
- Aging alters drug absorption, distribution, and metabolism.
- Specific medications pose higher risks for older individuals.
- Effective strategies exist to manage and prevent adverse drug events.
Conclusions:
- Understanding age-related physiological changes is crucial for safe medication management in older adults.
- Proactive identification and management of high-risk medications can reduce adverse events.
- Implementing targeted strategies can improve therapeutic outcomes and patient safety for elders.