This study investigated causes of hospitalizations due to adverse drug events (ADEs) and falls among patients at a nonprofit Visiting Nurse Association, over 1 year, using a retrospective record review (n = 50). Findings revealed that 42 hospitalizations occurred related to hypo-/hyperglycemia (n = 1), ADEs (n = 10), and falls (n = 31). Patients experienced medication side effects such as bradycardia, hypotension, hemorrhage, electrolyte imbalances, and syncope contributing to ADEs and resulting in potentially preventable hospitalizations.
Home—The best place for health care: a positioning statement from the joint commission on the state of the home care industry. The Joint Commission Web site. Available at: http://www.jointcommission.org/home_–_the_best_place_for_health_care/. Published October 2011. Accessed April 27, 2013
2.
BudnitzDSLovegroveMCShehabNRichardsCL. Emergency hospitalizations for adverse drug events in older Americans. N Engl J Med. 2011;365:2002-2012.
3.
RikerGISetterSM. Polypharmacy in older adults at home: what it is and what to do about it-implications for home healthcare and hospice, Part 2. Home Healthc Nurse. 2013;31:65-77.
4.
WoolcottJCRichardsonKJMarraCA. Meta-analysis of the impact of 9 medication classes on falls in elderly persons. Arch Intern Med. 2009;169:1952-1960.
5.
ErmerMHarderS. Medication review of community-dwelling seniors using intensified home-care service. Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther. 2011;49(3):179-184.
6.
DierichMTMuellerCWestraBL. Medication regimens in older home care patients. J Gerontol Nurs. 2011;37(12):45-55.
ChrischillesEARubensteinLVan GilderRVoelkerMWrightKWallaceR. Risk factors for adverse drug events in older adults with mobility limitations in the community setting. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2007;55(1):29-34.
9.
MishraSIGioiaDChildressSBarnetBWebsterRL. Adherence to medication regimens among low-income patients with multiple comorbid chronic conditions. Health Soc Work. 2011;36(4):249-58.
10.
TinettiM. Medication reduction strategy for older patients with multiple health conditions: safe and effective medication decision-making. In: Fall Risk Assessment and Interventions: A Guide for Clinicians. New Haven: Connecticut Collaboration for Fall Prevention; 2005:1-6.
American Geriatrics Society, Beers Criteria Update Expert Panel. American geriatrics society updated beers criteria for potentially inappropriate medication use in older adults. The J Am Geriatr Soc. 2012;60:616-631.
14.
SteinmanMALundBCMiaoYBoscardinWJKaboliPJ. Geriatric conditions, medication use, and risk of adverse drug events in a predominantly male, older veteran population. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2011;59:615-621.
15.
KarchAM. Lippincott’s nursing drug guide. 33 ed. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2013.
16.
FelkerGMO’ConnorCMBraunwaldE. Advances in heart failure: loop diuretics in acute decompensated heart failure: necessary? Evil? A necessary evil?Circ Heart Fail. 2009;2:56-62.
