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Pharmacist's Role in an Interdisciplinary Falls Clinic

Falls are caused by many factors in older patients. Medications have been shown to be a risk factor for falls, and studies have shown that patients taking more than five total medications may have a two-fold increased risk of impaired balance. A more recent model suggests only medications with sedating and anticholinergic properties contribute significantly to physical impairment. The authors of this paper helped to develop a multidisciplinary clinic to evaluate the risk of falls in at-risk patients. We present the case of a woman on multiple medications that increased her risk of falling. Of note, this patient was taking a total of 14 prescription medications, seven of which were considered sedating. Based on a comprehensive medication evaluation, six specific changes were recommended to improve this patient's medication regimen and reduce her risk of falling.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:ETSU/oai:dc.etsu.edu:etsu-works-17649
Date01 February 2011
CreatorsFlores, Emily K., Henry, Robin, Stewart, David W.
PublisherDigital Commons @ East Tennessee State University
Source SetsEast Tennessee State University
Detected LanguageEnglish
Typetext
SourceETSU Faculty Works

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