Economics / Chapter 14
The elderly population is prone to polypharmacy, or being prescribed multiple medications to treat one or several medical conditions. Although the prescribing provider(s) have good intentions, the practice of polypharmacy can lead to dangerous or even deadly consequences, particularly in the elderly. This trend is becoming more and more common, leading to questions about at what point does prescribing multiple medications more of a hazard than of any help? And perhaps most importantly, how do we as providers effectively intervene in order to address this concern?
Recent figures have shown that 6.5% of in-patient hospital admissions stem from adverse drug reactions. Of those adverse reactions, 72% are identified as ones that could definitely or possibly have been avoided (Anguita, 2011). This is of particular concern in the elderly, who are a patient population with higher incidence of multiple health problems, more prone to drug-drug interactions, errors in dosing of their medications, and are at higher risk for falls (Jykka, Enlund, Korhonen, Sulkava & Hartikainen, 2009). With new prescription drugs constantly flooding the market, there is a plethora of pharmaceutical options available to providers for treating their patients. This can lead to a trend of providers relying more on medications to treat patients rather than first exploring alternative treatment options. Jykka (2009) reports that recent studies have indicated that of elderly patients taking five or more drugs daily, half were taking drugs that were either unnecessary, ineffective, without a clear indication, and even drugs that represent therapeutic duplication. In addition, the more drugs that are added to a patient's regimen, the more likely that unwanted...
Introduction to Situation This paper is based on a fictional case study in which a young woman is considering becoming a physician. Prior to fully committing to this decision, she desires to attain prudent financial information about its repercussions. Specifically, she is seeking to identify the return on investment that her decision could potentially generate. This involves both qualitative and quantitative factors, the former of which pertains to personal gain derived
It is also argued that the insurance mandate is not constitutional since the government does not have the right to tell the United States citizens what products to purchase, even when these products are beneficial for them, and even less when the socio-economic impact of purchasing the respective items is questionable (Savage, 2009). Arguments against changing the direction of the policy Once again delaying any measures to restructure and resolve the two
Organizational Leadership Strategies Falls in the elderly due to polypharmacy and possible approaches Polypharmacy refers to the use of multiple medicines by the elderly especially those above sixty years. Most times, it involves the use of more than five regular drugs. Alternatively, it is sometimes referred to as unnecessary prescriptions or purportedly excessive medication. Polypharmacy has not yet achieved a universal definition. This problem has been persistent across forty percent of the
Because so many older people have aged in a healthy way, they remain able bodied and are more than willing to lend their energy and experience to providing better and more effective services. This will create not only a vital resource for older people who are in need of protective services. It will also create an opportunity for aging people to become involved in the health and well-being of
A secondary mortgage market permits mortgage originators to be more responsive to dynamic mortgage demand and to lower mortgage rates for some homeowners when mortgage demand is higher. According to Koppell (2001): Government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs) are hybrids -- part public, part private -- that affect the lives of most Americans. Anyone who has borrowed money to purchase a home, farm, or pay for college, or invested in a mutual fund
It is also wise to have it reviewed by a doctor or attorney, the Family Doctor Web site suggests; that way you can be assured that what you wish to have done with you and to you if you become incapacitated is "understood exactly as you intended" (Family Doctor). The advance directives are sensitive and private, and they are very important for seniors. But the advance directives can be controversial,
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