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Preventing post-discharge adverse drug events takes team approach

Case Management Weekly, May 24, 2006

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One-third to one-half of adverse drug events (ADEs) are caused by human error or flawed systematic procedures, according to a recently published article in the Canadian Medical Association Journal. However, a multidisciplinary approach can help prevent ADEs, the authors assert.

The article identifies common factors that contribute to "preventable ADEs," including, changing a patient's medications, changing metabolic requirements, prescribing multiple drugs or high-risk medications, inadequately preparing a patient for discharge, or inadequately coordinating patient care. The authors suggest that discharge planners and physicians do all they can to minimize the risk that their patients face after leaving the hospital, and their recommendations include the following:

• Communicate explicitly as to which of the pre-hospital medications need to be changed or stopped.
• Provide an accurate, legible medication profile to the patient and his or her pharmacist, physician, and other community care providers.
• Advise patients to bring all existing medications from home along with their new prescriptions when they go to the pharmacy, so any discrepancies can be quickly resolved.
• Educate patients about the side effects of medications, especially new or high-risk drugs.
• When possible (and assuming the patient consents), enlist family members or other supportive people to monitor patients and ensure that medications are accurately administered at home.

Source:Adapted from Hospitalist Program Weekly, HCPro, Inc

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