Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #106502

Janice L. Feinberg, PharmD, JD, American Society of Consultant Pharmacists Research & Education Foundation, One East Delaware Place, Suite 27H, Chicago, IL 60611, 312-202-9914, jfeinberg@ascp.com

Presentation Abstract #3

Using Clinical Informatics to Improve Patient Safety at the Medication Monitoring Stage

30 minutes

This presentation will discuss a study testing the effectiveness of an innovative clinical software program--the Geriatric Risk Assessment Med Guide™ (GRAM™)--in nursing facilities to improve medication safety. GRAM™ identifies medications that may cause, aggravate, or contribute to common geriatric problems; and correlates medication effects with signs, symptoms, syndromes, and indicators describing mood, behavior, cognition, psychosocial well-being, and functional status. GRAM™ is intended to assist in the clinical decision-making process to evaluate complex medication regimens of geriatric patients, and identify and prevent potential medication-related problems. The study focuses on the effectiveness of GRAM™ in reducing serious, preventable adverse drug events (ADEs) and reducing the incidence of delirium and falls. The intervention materials used in this study will be presented: Medication Monitoring Care Plan and Flow Record for falls and delirium, implemented for new residents who are receiving medications that may cause, aggravate, or contribute to these problems.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this presentation, the attendee will be able to

• List medication-related adverse effects that cause or contribute to the risk for falls and delirium;
• Describe the use of medication monitoring care plans and flow records to reduce preventable adverse drug effects.

Keywords: Drug Safety, Nursing Homes

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commertial supporters WITH THE EXCEPTION OF the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists Research & Education Foundation, which owns the copyright for the clinical software used in the research..