Special considerations for the geriatric population

Health care providers can be the eyes and ears of patient safety when it comes to medication administration. Simply asking questions about the medication and dose can avert a drug-drug interaction or save the patient's life. When caring for the older adult, question if the drug is right for this patient; if the dose is correct or if it has been adjusted to start at a lower dose; if the patient has renal or kidney dysfunctions that may further affect dosing; and if the patient has been thoroughly assessed for swallowing, cognitive, and physical disorders 22]. Remember that confusion may be an early sign of an adverse drug event. Health care providers can be the first line of defense in reducing adverse medication events in the older adult.