CLINICAL BUDGETING AND DRUG MANAGEMENT ON LONG-STAY GERIATRIC WARDS

1 September 1988

journal article
research article
Published by Oxford University Press (OUP) in Age and Ageing

Vol. 17 (5) , 328-332
https://doi.org/10.1093/ageing/17.5.328

Abstract

Over-prescribing on long-stay wards for the elderly is a common problem. A scheme of senior doctor surveillance of prescribing on long-stay wards in a district general hospital is described, which involved stopping all drugs except those considered essential. A reduction of over 50% in the number of drugs taken per patient, and a saving of 34% in drug costs was achieved, without detriment to patients' well-being. Increased drug utilization on some wards is considered to occur because of the ward sister's demand for patients to be given drugs such as sedatives and tranquillizers. Regular re-education of nursing and junior medical staff to reduce over-prescribing is recommended.

Keywords

This publication has 1 reference indexed in Scilit:

ROUTINE CHEST RADIOGRAPHY IN THE ELDERLY
Age and Ageing, 1985