Impact of a self-administration of medications programme on elderly inpatients’ competence to manage medications: a pilot study

Abstract

An inpatient SAMP improved elderly patients' ability to competently manage and adhere to their prescribed medications regimen. This finding needs to be confirmed in a larger controlled trial.

Medication-Related Problems Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults After Recent Hospital Discharge in Mainland China

“…However, once a medication routine is established, the older adults may be able to maintain it (Brown & Park, 2003). Lam et al (2011) also reported that patients became more competent with their medication self-management with time as they became familiar with their new medication regimens. Therefore, our findings emphasize the importance of interventions to improve medication use among older adults-especially during the first days after hospital discharge.…”

“…Some studies have noted that there is a correlation between older age and increased medication-related problems (Beckman, Parker, & Thorslund, 2005;Cárdenas-Valladolid et al, 2010); however, this is not always the case (May et al, 2010;Roth & Ivey, 2005). Similarly, other select variables and medication-related problems have been shown to be related, such as gender (Barat et al, 2001;Beckman et al, 2005;Tordoff, Bagge, et al, 2010), educational background (Barat et al, 2001;Gray, Mahoney, & Blough, 2001;Rich, Gray, Beckham, Wittenberg, & Luther, 1996), living arrangement (Barat et al, 2001;Beckman et al, 2005;Lam et al, 2011), economic status (Haider, Johnell, Thorslund, & Fastbom, 2008;Stuart & Briesacher, 2002; The Ohio Department of Aging, The Aging Network, & The Ohio State University, 2007), vision (Beckman et al, 2005;Ferrario, 2008;Murray et al, 2004), hearing (Cárdenas-Valladolid et al, 2010;Ferrario, 2008;Murray et al, 2004), and depression (Barat et al, 2001;DiMatteo, Lepper, & Croghan, 2000;May et al, 2010).…”

“…Previous studies have suggested that the transition from hospital to home is a time of risk for medication-related problems (Garcia-Caballos, Ramos-Diaz, Jimenez-Moleon, & Bueno-Cavanillas, 2010;Midlöv et al, 2008). The first several days posthospitalization can be the most difficult period, as people attempt to incorporate medication regimens into a daily home routine (Hain, Tappen, Diaz, & Ouslander, 2012;Kripalani et al, 2008;Lam, Elliott, & George, 2011).…”

“…Prior research about medication-related problems after hospital discharge is common (e.g., Jackevicius, Li, & Tu, 2008;Lam et al, 2011;Mesteig, Helbostad, Sletvold, Røsstad, & Saltvedt, 2010). However, most of these studies have been carried out in Western countries, and there are many differences between Chinese and Western societies.…”

Clinical and scientific letters

“…[4][5][6][7] Staff should embrace this policy to realise its benefits and promote patient autonomy wherever applicable. The initial investment on resources such as individual bedside cabinets and additional staff training in facilitating nurse administration can be offset by the long-term benefits to patients, reduction in prescribing errors and reduction in nurses' drug administration time.…”