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

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May 5th, 12:00 AM

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.

 

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