Implementing a medication safety and poison prevention program at a senior center

Area of Science:

• Pharmacy Practice
• Patient Safety
• Community Health

Background:

• The Institute for Safe Medication Practices advocates for pharmacist involvement in preventing medication misuse.
• Community outreach programs are vital for enhancing patient safety and medication adherence.

Purpose of the Study:

• To discuss a medication-safety education session for senior citizens.
• To highlight the role of pharmacy students in community-based health education.

Main Methods:

• A pharmacy professor and students conducted an interactive educational session at a senior center.
• Content covered poison prevention, drug interactions, and appropriate drug disposal.
• The session was informed by a train-the-trainer webinar on medication safety.

Main Results:

• Senior center participants received education on critical aspects of medication safety.
• The program utilized an interactive format to engage participants effectively.
• The initiative fostered collaboration between academia and community members.

Conclusions:

• Pharmacists play a crucial role in community outreach for medication safety.
• Longitudinal medication safety programs can significantly promote patient well-being in senior populations.
• Educational interventions are effective in improving knowledge of poison prevention, drug interactions, and disposal.