Elie Mulhem|David J. Lick|Jobin K. Varughese|Eithne Barton|Trevor Ripley|Joanna Haveman
Adherence to Medications after Hospital Discharge in the Elderly
Oakland University|Oakland University|Oakland University|Oakland University|Oakland University|Oakland University
objectives evaluate adherence rate prescribed medications elderly patients 2448 hours discharged hospital methods family medicine residents visited patients age 65 years homes one two days discharged hospital documented medications taking since coming home hospital list medications later compared medications recorded hospital discharge instructions results complete data available 46 participants average patient age 76 years 544 women three patients 65 adhered completely discharge medication list found medical record thirtysix patients 782 reported taking least one additional prescription medication twenty patients 434 missed least one prescription medication twenty patients 434 reported taking wrong dose least one medication nineteen patients 413 reported taking medications incorrect frequency conclusion vast majority elderly patients study adhere medication regimen first two days hospital discharge costeffective improvements hospital discharge processes needed improve adherence reduce preventable posthospitalization complications