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Updated: Jun 6, 2026
06:52
Assessment of Dependence in Activities of Daily Living Among Older Patients in an Acute Care Unit
Published on: September 30, 2020
[Medication reduction in a convalescent rehabilitation ward]
Takeshi Sato1, Kazunori Sato, Akira Sato
1Health Coop. Watari Hospital.
Nihon Ronen Igakkai Zasshi. Japanese Journal of Geriatrics
|December 1, 2010
Summary
This study found that optimizing medication for elderly patients during rehabilitation can reduce drug consumption without adverse effects. Early intervention in hospitalization is key to improving prescription practices and patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Geriatric Medicine
- Clinical Pharmacy
- Rehabilitation Medicine
Context:
- Polypharmacy is common in senior citizens with multiple diseases, increasing the risk of adverse drug reactions.
- Hospitalization for rehabilitation offers a critical opportunity to review and improve medication regimens.
- A dedicated program was implemented to minimize prescribed medications for hospitalized patients.
Purpose:
- To investigate the effectiveness of suitable prescribing patterns in reducing medication consumption during rehabilitation.
- To assess changes in medication quantities for patients admitted to a rehabilitation department.
Summary:
- The study analyzed 203 patients (64.5% over 75 years old, 37.9% under 45 kg) admitted to rehabilitation.
- Average medication use decreased slightly from 6.49 to 6.02 per patient upon discharge.
- While 45.3% of patients had medication reduced, a significant portion (37.9%) saw an increase after one month; however, no adverse withdrawal reactions were noted for reduced medications.
Impact:
- Optimizing and reducing medications early in hospitalization is recommended.
- A one-third reduction in analgesic and gastrointestinal drugs appears feasible without adverse events.
- Successful reduction of antihypertensive and narcoleptic medications was observed in specific patient groups.
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