Document Detail


Medication reconciliation in hospice: a pilot study.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  19114603     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
BACKGROUND: The Joint Commission required implementation of medication reconciliation processes by January 2006. Medication reconciliation is the practice of acquiring an accurate medication history at each transitional point of care. Potential for errors increases with inaccurate medication histories. This study determined the extent of medication reconciliation errors in hospice. METHODS: Patients were enrolled from 2 hospices in Maryland (January 2007). An initial medication history was completed by the nurse on hospice admission. The pharmacist did another medication history within 5 days of admission and compared the medication histories. All differences were reported as medication discrepancies. RESULTS: There were 504 medication discrepancies. Medication omissions occurred most commonly. All patients had at least 1 medication discrepancy (average 8.7 per patient). Overall, 190 drug interactions were identified; most were moderately severe. CONCLUSION: Terminal patients often use numerous medications increasing the risk of medication errors. Accurate medication histories reduce errors and potential for harm.
Authors:
Leonette O Kemp; Priyanka Narula; Mary Lynn McPherson; Ilene Zuckerman
Related Documents :
17147133 - The history of the patient history since 1850.
6331973 - Salpingitis and cervicitis in uro-arthritis.
9360353 - Venomous marine animals of florida: morphology, behavior, health hazards.
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article     Date:  2008-12-29
Journal Detail:
Title:  The American journal of hospice & palliative care     Volume:  26     ISSN:  1938-2715     ISO Abbreviation:  Am J Hosp Palliat Care     Publication Date:    2009 Jun-Jul
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2009-06-17     Completed Date:  2009-09-03     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  9008229     Medline TA:  Am J Hosp Palliat Care     Country:  United States    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  193-9     Citation Subset:  IM; N    
Affiliation:
Methodist University Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee 38104, USA. kempl@methodisthealth.org
Export Citation:
APA/MLA Format     Download EndNote     Download BibTex
MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Aged, 80 and over
Drug Interactions
Female
Hospice Care / statistics & numerical data*
Humans
Male
Maryland
Medical History Taking
Medication Errors / methods*,  statistics & numerical data*
Nonprescription Drugs
Pilot Projects
Prescription Drugs
Process Assessment (Health Care)
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
0/Nonprescription Drugs; 0/Prescription Drugs

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


Previous Document:  Baclofen as an adjuvant analgesic for cancer pain.
Next Document:  End-of-life care: an interdisciplinary perspective.