30125 The Nurses Role in the Management of Polypharmacy

What you'll learn

Course overview

Many patients are prescribed or take unneeded medications or over-the-counter supplements that could adversely affect their health. Registered nurses lack knowledge regarding the current recommendations for polypharmacy and the nurse's role in assisting patients to decrease the sequela of taking multiple medications that are unneeded or inappropriately used. A survey completed in October/November of 2023 demonstrated a high number of stakeholders reporting polypharmacy as an issue in the served population. Adverse drug events caused by polypharmacy are reported to cost CMS $50 billion per year. Polypharmacy can lead to multiple adverse drug events, as well as increased morbidity and mortality. The program discusses the nurse's role in the management of polypharmacy. Topics include some of the negative outcomes of polypharmacy; the nurse's role in the management of polypharmacy; different interventions that can help minimize polypharmacy; and the possible negative experiences that patients with polypharmacy may have. There is also a discussion about how implicit bias may impact healthcare.