Pharmacist
A heightened awareness of medication safety issues in older patients and comprehensive medication history-taking can lead to better detection and prevention of adverse drug events in the ED. The goal of having a pharmacist on the team is to use a process to obtain an accurate list that can be used to inform and enable prescribers to make the most appropriate prescribing decisions for the patient and reduce the potential for adverse drug events. We also have to consider other challenges present in older patients such as the normal physiology of ageing which will affect dose and medication interactions, and cognitive impairment which may impair the ability to manage changes to medication plans.
In this section, we will see what role the pharmacist plays in the senior-friendly emergency department and explore how different EDs can tap into pharmacy resources.
Best Possible Medication History (BPMH) Guide
Here is an outline for a script that any health care provider can use in the ED to ensure an accurate medication history — before discharge or before admission: Introduction – Introduce self and prof...Read More
Ten Practical Tips for a Best Possible Medication History
Be proactive. Gather as much information as possible prior to seeing the patient. Include primary medication histories, provincial database information, and medications vials/ lists. Prompt questions...Read More
A Pharmacist’s Role in the Senior-friendly ED
Why is medication reconciliation in older adults important? As people age, many develop a progressively complex mix of health conditions that require a growing number of medications to prevent the de...Read More
