|
BAR CODES AND PATIENT SAFETY
It’s finally happened - and it’s great. The ubiquitous bar code, similar to those grocery clerks scan from food packages to add to your bill, has finally appeared in local hospitals. Reports are that Sutter Delta Medical Center in Antioch, CA (along with other Sutter hospitals in Northern California) are now using bar codes to increase patient safety. To prevent patients from accidentally receiving the wrong drugs, nurses can scan a bar code at the patient’s bedside to get patient information. This is then compared with the scan of the drug bottles on the cart or in the room’s medicine chest to make sure they match. (Source: East Bay Business Times)
Ed. Note: The FDA in 1994 issued a final rule that requires "bar codes" on most prescription drugs and on certain over-the-counter drugs. So, for example, a bar code system could prevent a child from receiving an adult dosage of a drug and prevent a patient from mistakenly receiving a duplicate dose of a drug he or she had already received. A bar code system can also allow the computer to record the time that the patient receives the drug, ensuring more accurate medical records. FDA estimates that the bar code rule, once implemented, will result in more than 500,000 fewer adverse events over the next 20 years. Thus, FDA estimates a 50% reduction in medication errors that would otherwise occur when drugs are dispensed or administered, even though some hospitals that currently have bar code systems in place report a higher error reduction from bar code usage.
*******
AGE RELATED CHANGES AND ADVERSE DRUG REACTIONS
Normal aging can alter the way drugs are absorbed, metabolized, distributed and removed from the body. For example, the ratio of lean body mass to body fat tissue changes, and although weight may remain the same, some medications may remain in the system for a longer period of time due to an increase in body fat. A decrease in the percentage of body weight consisting of water also occurs, causing drugs to become more highly concentrated, exaggerating the medicines effect. There is also a decrease in both the action of the gastrointestinal tract, the kidneys and in liver function, which causes food and medicines to slow down in the system, remain in the body for longer periods, and which can cause drugs to collect in the liver resulting in possible toxicity.
These age related changes result in the action of drugs being less predictable than they are in younger or middle-aged persons. Coupled with the lack of drug testing in adults over the age of 75, these changes can cause adverse drug reactions. Therefore, the standard adult dose of a medication (which was likely tested on a healthy 55 year old male weighing 175 pounds) probably should be altered or reduced for our aged population. (Source: Ohio State University)
*****
INAPPROPRIATE PRESCRIPTIONS ABOUND !
A recent study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine estimates that errors in prescribing drugs for seniors may occur in as many as 16 million doctor visits. This echoes in strong numbers the results reported during our study for our ElderCare Guide "Tracking Your Medicine: How to Keep It Simple and Safe." Once again, we are reminded how important it is that doctors know all of the medicines we are taking so we can avoid dangerous drug interactions.
*****
NEW PILL BOTTLE INTRODUCED BY TARGET
You likely have read by now about Target’s new medicine bottle. Invented by a young graphics designer after one member of her family took medications prescribed for another, this bottle is larger, relatively flat and rests on it’s cap. The primary features of the bottle include: larger print, a color coded ring (so each family member gets their own color, or colors indicate times of day for taking the meds), and a flap which holds product information.
Since Target owns the patent for this new device (they are hoping to expand their pharmacy services), it seems unlikely that those who use other pharmacies will benefit from this great device.
However, you can achieve similar results by doing the following:
* Use a crayon, highlighter, or pen to draw a large mark, dot or star on the label. Be sure it does not obscure any important information. Assign a different color to each person in the household, to each pill, or to each time of day. You can also use colored rubber bands and put them around the necks of the bottles.
* Don’t throw away the information flyers that come with the medicines (prescription or over-the-counter). Put them in a drawer or folder for future reference.
Any other ideas: write us at coach@BoomerView.com.
*****
DRUGS ARE NOT ALL THEY SHOULD BE - Spring 2005
The withdrawal of Vioxx from the market has caused both a huge media flap and great consumer alarm while people search for viable alternatives. It now appears possible that other drugs, including over-the-counter medications, may not be safe either in spite of their FDA approvals.
Recent articles in the New Yorker, among other publications, have renewed calls for more comprehensive testing of drugs on elders and on children, as well as on the traditionally tested populations. Drug companies may be reluctant to address the specific medical trial needs of these populations for a number of reasons (the threat of injury to small children, the limited marketability to those populations, the large numbers of drugs taken by the elderly which complicates any effective testing, etc.). Clearly, more diverse testing and longer term trials are needed, and soon. We have seen from personal experience that drugs tested on 35 to 55 year old males can cause extreme adverse reactions when prescribed to 80 year old men and/or women!
In the meantime, some good, solid advice has sifted through:
1. Take as few medications as possible given your individual needs and your medical practitioner’s directions.
2. Ask if any testing has been done on your specific age group.
3. Ask for the smallest dose possible that will still be effective for you.
4. Do not take or discontinue any medication or over-the-counter drug without checking with your doctor, practitioner or pharmacist first. Avoid dangerous drug interactions or doubling up of similar ingredients.
5. Read the labels. Follow the directions. Ask questions of there is something you don’t understand.
6. Ask how long you should take any medication (prescription or over-the-counter). Some may become toxic or harmful over time.
|