Medication Management
Medication issues in older patients in the Emergency Department are among the most challenging and important areas of their management. In this era of chronic disease management, most older people come to the ED already taking five or more medications. Many ED visits are actually generated by an adverse effect of some medication, and most visits involve the administration or the addition of at least one more new drug. The potential for unwanted effects from interactions between the various drugs or interactions between the drugs and the patient’s diseases is almost unlimited – particularly in a physiologic system that is changing with age.
In this section we explore best practices in obtaining medication history, and policies that should exist with respect to medication management in the emergency department.
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
Examples of Change
These examples all relate to Medication Management.
