| Mira JJ, Orozco-Beltrán D, Pérez-Jover V, et al. Physician patient communication failure facilitates medication errors in older polymedicated patients with multiple comorbidities. |
National |
Prevalence and contributing factors of medication mistakes in older adults with multiple medications
- Mistakes by polymedicated patients with multiple comorbidities represent a real risk that should be addressed by the professionals (A medication error last year was reported by 287 patients (75%), and 16 patients (4%) reported four or more errors. Most cases concerned the doage, a similar appearance of the medication or the lack of understanding of the physician’s instructions. Very severe consequences occurred in 19 cases (5%).)
- Multiole comorbidities and a greater number of treatments were associated with making mistakes.
- Frequent changes in prescription, not considering the prescriptions of other physicians, inconsistency int he messages, being treated by various different physicians at the same time, a feeling of not being listened to, or loss of trust in the physician were associated with making medication mistakes.
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