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Medication Management of Adult Patients Admitted to Hospital with Epilepsy, Seizure or Convulsion
Author(s) -
Walker Monique P,
McGovern Trudy L,
Hattingh Laetitia H,
Hall Tony D
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
journal of pharmacy practice and research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.222
H-Index - 22
eISSN - 2055-2335
pISSN - 1445-937X
DOI - 10.1002/j.2055-2335.2012.tb00191.x
Subject(s) - medicine , convulsion , epilepsy , medical prescription , pharmacist , emergency medicine , antiepileptic drug , audit , observational study , pharmacy , pediatrics , psychiatry , family medicine , nursing , management , economics
Background An inpatient medication chart review at the Gold Coast Hospital identified shortcomings with the prescribing and monitoring of antiepileptic medications. Aim To evaluate medication management of patients with epilepsy, seizure or convulsion; to map their transition through the health system; and to identify lifestyle behaviours that may lead to overt risks for seizure occurrence. Method A retrospective observational audit of adult patients (16 years and over) admitted to hospital with a diagnosis of epilepsy, seizure or convulsion from 1 to 31 January 2012. Results Majority of the 62 episodes of care investigated involved patients who were discharged directly from the ED (68%). Only 30% of all patients discharged from an inpatient unit received a discharge medication record from a pharmacist. Non‐adherence with antiepileptic medications, alcohol and/or recreational drug use and prescription medication misuse were identified as overt risks for seizure occurrence. Conclusion Valuable insights were gained into the management of seizure patients. The role of the ED pharmacist was reviewed to focus on high‐risk seizure patients. An increase in the provision of discharge medication records and patient education on the overt risks for seizure occurrence is needed.