Thomas W. Riney, MD, FAAEM: No financial relationships to disclose
With this lecture, I will seek a definition of geriatric polypharmacy and explain its consequences; I will discuss the prevalence and how too often we fail to recognize it; I will suggest methods for the Emergency Clinician to address the problem: first by suspecting it, second by preventing it and thirdly by raising concerns about our systems failure to diagnose and deal with this problem.
Learning Objectives:
Define Geriatric Polypharmacy
Link geriatric polypharmacy to falls, hospital admissions, morbidity, and even mortality
Teach pneumonic: we CAN make a difference: by (C)onsidering polypharmacy as cause for visit, (A)void potentially harmful medications, and by (N)otifying patient, caregiver, physician of concern and encourage follow up
