Polypharmacy in the Elderly - SOD

Course overview

In addition to chronic disease, polypharmacy is one of the most significant risks for clinical declines and hospital readmissions. An increasing number of elderly patients are taking multiple medications for a combination of disease processes, particularly to include those for chronic diseases and their common co-morbidities. This common scenario then increases the chances of critical drug interactions and serious side effects. Medications are often prescribed by different medical specialists, who may not have the opportunity to communicate with one other. This course will cite case studies and resources such as the American Geriatric Society’s Beers Criteria and other key evidence-based practice resources, to review the dangers of polypharmacy. Then, strategies will be reviewed to best manage those clinical cases where multiple diagnoses co-exist, which often result in multiple medications.