CASE STUDY - POLYPHARMACY PROBLEMS

Polypharmacy, a common problem in the United States' geriatric population, increases the risks of drug-drug interactions. APRNs and pharmacists are committed to providing compassionate, comprehensive, cost-effective health care that focuses on disease prevention, health promotion, and patient education, and the United States' elders need and deserve this quality of care. Some of the factors that exacerbate the problem include multiple health conditions requiring that multiple specialists attend a patient, the cost of medications leading to skipped doses, and use of multiple pharmacies. The use of computer-based recording might help reduce contraindicated drug use, but to date no national or state policies are in place to regulate and reduce the incidence of the practice of writing prescriptions that are inappropriate for use in older adults.

Discussion Points

1. Identify the goal of a policy written to reduce this practice.

2. What tools might be included in the design phase of the policy process to increase the probability of success?

3. What research from other countries could be helpful in addressing this issue?