Title
Epidemiology of adverse drug events in the nursing home setting.
UMMS Affiliation
Meyers Primary Care Institute; Department of Medicine, Division of Geriatric Medicine
Date
9-1-1995
Document Type
Article
Medical Subject Headings
Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting Systems; Aged; Aging; Homes for the Aged; Humans; Nursing Homes; Pharmaceutical Preparations
Disciplines
Health Services Research | Medicine and Health Sciences
Abstract
There is widespread concern about the level of use, particularly the inappropriate use, of drugs among elderly residents of nursing homes. Medication consumption by these individuals is among the highest of any patient population; residents of nursing homes are prescribed an average of 5 to 8 regularly scheduled medications in addition to those drugs prescribed on an as needed ('prn') basis. Ideally, drug therapy should result in beneficial effects and improved quality of life for patients. However, the development of adverse drug events (ADEs) can compromise the expected benefits of pharmacotherapy for the individual nursing-home resident and may represent a public health problem of considerable magnitude.
Rights and Permissions
Citation: Drugs Aging. 1995 Sep;7(3):203-11.
