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Registered nurses' medication management of the elderly in aged care facilities
Author(s) -
Lim L.M.,
Chiu L.H.,
Dohrmann J.,
Tan K.L.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
international nursing review
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.84
H-Index - 51
eISSN - 1466-7657
pISSN - 0020-8132
DOI - 10.1111/j.1466-7657.2009.00760.x
Subject(s) - medicine , test (biology) , descriptive statistics , pharmacy , attrition , family medicine , medical prescription , nursing , paleontology , statistics , mathematics , dentistry , biology
LIM L.M., CHIU L.H., DOHRMANN J. & TAN K.‐L. (2010) Registered nurses' medication management of the elderly in aged care facilities. International Nursing Review 57 , 98–106 Background: Data on adverse drug reactions (ADRs) showed a rising trend in the elderly over 65 years using multiple medications. Aim: To identify registered nurses' (RNs) knowledge of medication management and ADRs in the elderly in aged care facilities; evaluate an education programme to increase pharmacology knowledge and prevent ADRs in the elderly; and develop a learning programme with a view to extending provision, if successful. Method: This exploratory study used a non‐randomized pre‐ and post‐test one group quasi‐experimental design without comparators. It comprised a 23‐item knowledge‐based test questionnaire, one‐hour teaching session and a self‐directed learning package. The volunteer sample was RNs from residential aged care facilities, involved in medication management. Participants sat a pre‐test immediately before the education, and post‐test 4 weeks later (same questionnaire). Participants' perceptions obtained. Findings: Pre‐test sample n = 58, post‐test n = 40, attrition rate of 31%. Using Microsoft Excel 2000, descriptive statistical data analysis of overall pre‐ and post‐test incorrect responses showed: pre‐test proportion of incorrect responses = 0.40; post‐test proportion of incorrect responses = 0.27; Z‐test comparing pre‐ and post‐tests scores of incorrect responses = 6.55 and one‐sided P ‐value = 2.8E‐11 ( P < 0.001). Conclusion and implications: Pre‐test showed knowledge deficits in medication management and ADRs in the elderly; post‐test showed statistically significant improvement in RNs' knowledge. It highlighted a need for continuing professional education. Further studies are required on a larger sample of RNs in other aged care facilities, and on the clinical impact of education by investigating nursing practice and elderly residents' outcomes.