科研之友
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摘要
Falls in older adults are common in the long-term care setting and are associated with functional decline, isolation, and depression. Increased attention is being given by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to have nursing homes implement quality assurance programs with the aim to reduce falls. Within the nursing home, pharmacists are expected to conduct at least monthly medication reviews and monitor for therapeutic effectiveness as well as adverse consequences of medications. This article discusses pharmacist-led team interventions to reduce fall risk in residents at a continuing care retirement community. One intervention is a fall risk evaluation form that notifies the assisted living care team of modifiable risk factors for residents who fall frequently. Examples include recommendations on discontinuing psychotropic medications that affect gait or alter mental status. In conjunction with the nursing home care team, the pharmacist also created two other programs that aim to (a) improve bone health by identifying residents who have low vitamin D levels and evaluating their need for calcium and vitamin D supplementation, and (b) educate the nursing staff of specific medication side effects that increase fall risk.
- 出版日期2014-1
