Furthermore, as much as 30% of adverse drug reactions are due to preventable medication errors such as missed dose, wrong technique, duplicate dosing, and preparation errors. Going further, the AHRQ states that between 42-60 % of medication errors are due to excessive dosing for patient weight, age, renal function, and underlying medical condition (AHRQ 2001). In light of these statistics, it is easy to see the importance of immediately addressing any medication management deficiencies. The Joint Commission identified three medication management priority focus areas: planning the medication management processes, reducing the likelihood of patient harm associated with the use of anticoagulant therapy, and proper labeling of
Geriatrics specialists, Dr. Sally K. Rigler refers to the significance of this in a notable American Family Physician article. Rigler (2000) emphasized, “…the causes of alcohol may be increased in elderly patients because of pharmacologic changes associated with aging. Aging modifies the body’s responsiveness to alcohol and other substances including the manner and rate of absorption, distribution, and excretion” (p. 171). This harsh analysis is yet another reminder of how serious the problems related to alcohol abuse and the elderly have been ignored and disregarded. Unfortunately, older persons are more associated with conditions such as Alzheimer and arthritic pain before they are diagnosed with alcoholism.
PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS AND THE ELDERLY 1 An Assessment of Prescription Medications and the Elderly Kendrea Pressnell Life Span Psychology PSYC 2130 Bryan K. Thomas, M.A. June 16, 2014 PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS AND THE ELDERLY 2 Abstract Advances in modern medicine and development of new medications have aided physicians in treating illness and disease among aging adults. The number of elderly individuals addicted to prescription drugs is increasing. Another issue is overmedicating. Researchers and physicians are working together to eliminate the various risks and side effects related to this issue.
Research Critique, Part 1: A qualitative study relating to the experiences of people with MS: differences by disease severity Annamma Thomas Grand Canyon University: NRS-433V: History and Process of Nursing Research, Evidence-Based Nursing Practice, Quantitative and Qualitative Research Process February 24, 2013 Problem Statement One of the main characteristics of Multiple Sclerosis is the differences where lesions arise on the body. As the disease progresses a variety of symptoms and severities occur for each patient. It is unknown what truly causes Multiple Sclerosis and what the best combatant for this disease is. The problem of this study was what key factors identify where the lesions on a person will turn up and how does the severity of the disease transpire for any patient. More than 2.5
Evaluation of an Evidence-Based Practice Change Utilizing Epidural Steroid Injections for the Treatment of Chronic Low Back Pain in the Elderly Deb Jones University of North Carolina Wilmington April 9, 2013 Evaluation of an Evidence-Based Practice Change Utilizing Epidural Steroid Injections for the Treatment of Chronic Low Back Pain in the Elderly Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is a significant health problem in the elderly population. Jacobs, Hammerman-Rozenberg, Cohen, and Stessman (2006) report a 44% prevalence of CLBP in elderly adults. For the purposes of this paper, CLBP will be defined as pain lasting longer than three months and the elderly will be defined as individuals aged 65 years and older. In the pain clinic setting, opioid pain medications are frequently prescribed for CLBP. Treatment of CLBP with opioid medications puts the elderly population at risk for significant complications and side effects.
Holyoke Medical Center DSTI Waiver 2.0 Definition of the High risk, “Complex Patient” The complex patient is referenced in several DSTI projects including but not exclusively, the following: Category 2: Project 2.1 Implement Improvements in Care Transitions. Milestone 13: Develop a standardized process to identify the complex patient with a diagnosis of HF, COPD , Diabetes and Depression …. Project 2.2 Improve the Management of Patients with Chronic Disease, Diabetes Milestone Milestone 16: Diabetic ,complex patients seen in the ED ….. Prooject 2.3 Improve the Management of Patients with Chronic Disease Heart Failure and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Milestone Category 3: Project 3.1 Establish an Enterprise –wide Strategy
Human Subjects Committees at the authors’ institutions approved the current study. Using sociodemographic and health status information on panel members, we identified all 5,644 individuals aged 50 and over who reported taking prescription medication for diabetes, depression, heart problems, hypertension, or high cholesterol. After three e-mail requests, 4,264 people completed the on-line informed consent and the questionnaire. One hundred
The researchers hypothesized that emotional pain is neurologically similar to physical pain, and therefore, use of the drug would ease the emotional pain. In order to test this, they conducted two experiments, using a wide variety of methodologies. In both experiments, the independent variable was the use of the drug, and the dependent variable was the measure of the participants’ hurt feelings via an emotional journal written by the participants each day. In the first experiment, two groups of approximately 30 participants each were given instructions to take medicine every day for 3 weeks. The first group was given acetaminophen, and the second was given a placebo.
In this context, sick leave due to back pain can sometimes be considered a medical solution to a work-related problem. 18 Recently, a negative orientation toward problems was found to be associated with higher levels of functional disability in employees with LBP. 19 In line with this, Shaw et al. 20 found low scores on positive problem-orientation and high scores on impulsiveness and avoidant style associated with functional loss in LBP patients. The authors suggest that the prolonged impact of LBP on daily functioning may be reduced by assisting workers to conceptualize LBP and its consequences as problems that can be overcome, and to use active strategies in reducing risks for LBP disability.
Therefore, this study sought to determine the frequency of and reasons for patients' call light use, the effects of one-hour and two-hour nursing rounds on patients' use of the call light, and the effects of such rounding on patient satisfaction, as well as patient safety as measured by the rate of patient