recognizingadversedrugevents.docVIP

Recognizing Adverse Drug Events Training Program for Staff of Assisted Living Facilities and Adult Day Care Centers Module One Medications and Older Adults Display Overhead 2: Module One Objectives. Direct participants to turn the Handout of the same name on page 1. Read the objectives aloud or invite individual participants to read specific objectives. Program Objectives After completing this module, participants will be able to: Describe use of medications by older adults. Define types of drug interactions and understand how they can occur. Explain why it is important to know about drug interactions. Identify age-related changes in the body and how they affect use of medications. Outline issues with medication use by older adults, including the possibility that drug effects may not be identified. Introduction Note to instructor: Ask participants: “How many had coffee this morning?” (have them raise their hands) “How many had tea?” “Anyone have a Coke?” We are a society that uses drugs – probably almost everyone in this room has taken a drug today – including coffee, tea, and soft drinks with caffeine. Over three-fourths (77%) of Americans self-medicate for common ailments. Probably most of you have bought over-the-counter (OTC) medications to take when you had a headache or cold or other health problem. Many people also take prescription medications and the number of prescriptions filled is increasing every year. Part of the reason is that more medications are available, as you can probably tell from all the drug advertisements on TV. Note to instructor: Ask participants “how many have seen a drug advertisement on TV?” Ask what type of drug advertisements they have seen. The number of prescriptions that were bought rose from 1.9 million in 1992 to 3.3 million in 2002, an increase of 74%. The amount of money spent on prescription drugs in 2001 was $140.6 billion. This amount is more than triple the am