Incidence and Preventability of Adverse Drug Events Among Older Persons in the Ambulatory Setting

Abstract

Although numerous studies have evaluated the patterns and quality of prescription medication use among the elderly,^1-5 information related to the incidence of preventable adverse drug events in the ambulatory geriatric population is limited. Even though most medication errors do not result in injury,^6,7 the extensive use of medications by the geriatric population suggests that sizeable numbers of older persons are affected. The prevalence of prescription medication use among the ambulatory adult population increases with advancing age. A recent national survey of the US noninstitutionalized adult population indicated that more than 90%of persons aged 65 years or older used at least 1 medication per week.⁸ More than 40%used 5 or more different medications per week, and 12%used 10 or more different medications per week.