Elderly and Medication Errors: Elderly More Susceptible to Medication Errors
November 2, 2001
Norwegian researchers recently found that 18 percent of the deaths in a group of 732 elderly patients studied were either direct or indirect fatal reactions to administered medications. The results establish a significantly greater rate of prescription drug related deaths in elderly patients than in other age groups.
The study's authors believe health care providers may misinterpret patients' symptoms, leading to inaccurate prescriptions. Additionally, caretakers may not properly adjust dosages to account for changes in patients' weight and metabolism.
The fatalities were primarily associated with heart disease drugs and drugs used to treat asthma, blood clots, and circulation problems. Some of the deaths occurred within three days of the patient's arrival in the hospital.
-- Article Courtesy of InjuryBoard.com
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