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Defining the Problem: Medication-related Problems
Medications can be life-saving, cost-effective forms of treatment for many of the acute and chronic diseases that afflict older adults. Properly used, they can prolong life, and they can also promote a higher quality and more independent lifestyle. Optimal medication use is defined as a treatment that is appropriate, effective and safe for all patients. This is especially important for older patients. When medication is prescribed or taken incorrectly, it can have a negative impact on their overall health.
Medication-related problems can include:
- Lack of treatment of an undiagnosed condition
- Overdosage or misuse
- The negative result of a combination of medications and drugs or foods
Each medication-related problem will be discussed in greater detail in Chapter 2.4 of this module.
Most problems can be traced back to various points throughout the medication use process highlighted in Chapter 1. Identifying the cause is important; it can benefit the future care of the individual (for example, in the case of extreme sensitivity) and educate the healthcare providers, who might then alter their practice or beliefs.
Some causes of medication-related problems might be:
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Cause
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Medication-related Problem
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A dispensing error by a pharmacy or misinterpretation of directions by the patient or caregiver
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Inaccurate administration of the medication
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The prescriber's failure to take the patient's age and other medications fully into consideration
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Too large a dose or negative drug interaction
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An incomplete medication or physical history
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A negative interaction with herbs or alcohol
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Tip - Document and Prevent
When a potential problem is recognized, it is important to implement strategies to:
- Address the problem before it leads to further complications or causes harm
- Clearly document the problem in the medical record
- Educate the patient and caregiver about what happened and why, if known, so they can inform future healthcare teams
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