A multidisciplinary approach to monitoring adverse drug reactions in a long-term care facility

Use of a drug in any patient requires careful consideration. This is especially true in the elderly patient who may be at risk for adverse drug reactions (ADRs). The drug regimens of patients in long-term care facilities must be reviewed monthly by a pharmacist. The continuous monitoring for ADRs in this setting should be systematized, and the pharmacist is in a unique position to coordinate this effort. This article describes a multidisciplinary approach to monitoring ADRs. By designing a program using the skills of different disciplines, day-to-day continuous monitoring can be accomplished with little increase in time commitment by any one discipline. The approach described provides a systematic basis for monitoring, evaluating and documenting ADRs that has been well accepted by all involved.