Date of Presentation
5-5-2022 12:00 AM
College
School of Osteopathic Medicine
Poster Abstract
Elderly populations are more prone to self-dispensing medication errors. Although some of these errors can be attributed to a patient’s disease, many errors are preventable with behavioral modification. As we age, the lens of the eye becomes yellow. This tints all light that passes through it causing deficits in color distinguishability.(Andreasen, 1980) Additionally, the lens of the eye hardens over time. This results in presbyopia, an inability to focus close objects.(Wolffsohn, 2018) These changes can cause elderly patients to misread labels or dispensed incorrect medication due to color shade similarities.(Cardarelli, 2011) Although these visual changes are well documented, current research on the role in medication errors and solutions to changing patient behavior is minimal. This study aims to compile the current solutions in improving patient behavior to decrease medication errors in elderly populations.
Keywords
Aged, Medication Errors, Self Administration, Color Perception, Low Vision
Disciplines
Geriatrics | Health and Medical Administration | Medicine and Health Sciences | Patient Safety | Pharmaceutical Preparations | Quality Improvement
Document Type
Poster
Included in
Geriatrics Commons, Patient Safety Commons, Pharmaceutical Preparations Commons, Quality Improvement Commons
The Role of Physiologic Vision Deficits in Elderly Self Dispensing Medication Errors
Elderly populations are more prone to self-dispensing medication errors. Although some of these errors can be attributed to a patient’s disease, many errors are preventable with behavioral modification. As we age, the lens of the eye becomes yellow. This tints all light that passes through it causing deficits in color distinguishability.(Andreasen, 1980) Additionally, the lens of the eye hardens over time. This results in presbyopia, an inability to focus close objects.(Wolffsohn, 2018) These changes can cause elderly patients to misread labels or dispensed incorrect medication due to color shade similarities.(Cardarelli, 2011) Although these visual changes are well documented, current research on the role in medication errors and solutions to changing patient behavior is minimal. This study aims to compile the current solutions in improving patient behavior to decrease medication errors in elderly populations.