The number of medications prescribed to a patient and patient age could be possible risk factors for adverse drug events, according to research published in Health Services Research.
For their study, researchers analyzed data from two nationally representative surveys: the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey and the National Hospital and Ambulatory Medical Care Survey from 2005-2007.
Their analysis showed nearly 13.5 million adverse drug events occurred between 2005 and 2007, with 72 percent of these events occurring in outpatient practice settings. The remainder of the adverse drug events occurred in emergency departments. Of the events occurring in practice settings, a greater majority occurred during primary care visits compared to specialty care visits.
The studied adverse drug events also showed older patients (65 years or older) experienced a higher proportion of adverse drug events. Increased medication burden (six to eight medications) was also associated with an adverse drug event.
Read the study about adverse drug events.
Related Articles on Medication Safety:
Two Seattle Children's Nurses Under Fire for Medical Errors
4 Strategies to Manage the Drug Shortage From Dr. John Dombrowski
CMS Seeks Comment on Medication-Related Quality Measures
For their study, researchers analyzed data from two nationally representative surveys: the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey and the National Hospital and Ambulatory Medical Care Survey from 2005-2007.
Their analysis showed nearly 13.5 million adverse drug events occurred between 2005 and 2007, with 72 percent of these events occurring in outpatient practice settings. The remainder of the adverse drug events occurred in emergency departments. Of the events occurring in practice settings, a greater majority occurred during primary care visits compared to specialty care visits.
The studied adverse drug events also showed older patients (65 years or older) experienced a higher proportion of adverse drug events. Increased medication burden (six to eight medications) was also associated with an adverse drug event.
Read the study about adverse drug events.
Related Articles on Medication Safety:
Two Seattle Children's Nurses Under Fire for Medical Errors
4 Strategies to Manage the Drug Shortage From Dr. John Dombrowski
CMS Seeks Comment on Medication-Related Quality Measures