The incidence of adverse drug events in two large academic long-term care facilities.
Gurwitz JH, Field TS, Judge J, et al. The incidence of adverse drug events in two large academic long-term care facilities. Am J Med. 2005;118(3). doi:10.1016/j.amjmed.2004.09.018.
While medication errors have gained tremendous attention in the acute care setting, the incidence and risk factors of similar events in long-term care settings remain less studied. Investigators determined the rate of adverse drug events (ADEs) in two academic long-term facilities, including description of the risk factors associated with each event. More than 800 ADEs occurred during the 9-month study period, with nearly 42% deemed preventable. Medications posing the greatest risk were antipsychotics, anticoagulants, antiepileptics, and diuretics. The authors advocate for safer prescribing habits in long-term care settings through a number of preventive strategies, such as improved ADE reporting systems and computerized provider order entry (CPOE).
Gurwitz JH, Field TS, Judge J, et al. The incidence of adverse drug events in two large academic long-term care facilities. Am J Med. 2005;118(3). doi:10.1016/j.amjmed.2004.09.018.