Aligning care initiatives to reduce medication adverse effects in nursing homes.

Abstract

Medication adverse effects in nursing homes continue to be an ongoing issue in long-term care, resulting in adverse events and temporary harm that lead to increased hospitalizations. In 2014, the Office of the Inspector General report noted that among Medicare beneficiaries in Part A stays less than 35 days, 22% experienced an adverse event and 11% experienced temporary harm. Ongoing initiatives and clinical services that can be aligned to address medication adverse events are discussed within the current article.