Study: two million drug injuries threaten NH residents annually.A new study says about one in ten nursing home residents suffers a medication-related injury each month, a figure called conservative by lead researcher Jerry Gurwitz, MD, as reported in the Boston Globe. When the data are extrapolated to the nation's total nursing home population, the Globe reported that 1.9 million drug-related problems threaten nursing home residents each year, including more than 86,000 fatal or life-threatening problems. The most common problems were confusion, oversedation, hallucinations Hallucinations Definition Hallucinations are false or distorted sensory experiences that appear to be real perceptions. These sensory impressions are generated by the mind rather than by any external stimuli, and may be seen, heard, felt, and even , or bleeding, and the drugs causing the most problems were warfarin warfarin (wôr`fərĭn), anticoagulant used to treat blood clots. In large doses it causes bleeding. Warfarin, mixed with bait, is used in rodent control. warfarin Anticoagulant drug, marketed as Coumadin. and antipsychotics Antipsychotics A class of drugs used to control psychotic symptoms in patients with psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia and delusional disorder. Antipsychotics include risperidone (Risperdal), haloperidol (Haldol), and chlorpromazine (Thorazine). ; 73% of the most severe injuries were preventable, according to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. the research. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Dr. Gurwitz told the Globe that nursing homes are "at least ten years behind in making the changes necessary" to address the problems of medication errors medication error Malpractice An error in the type of medication administered or dosage. See Adverse effect, Error. . He noted that many nursing homes cannot afford sophisticated medication dispensing and monitoring equipment, and few nursing homes have found ways to minimize problems related to many doctors treating residents, often via telephone consultation. BY DOUGLAS J. EDWARDS, ASSISTANT EDITOR |
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