The prevalence of polypharmacy in elderly attenders to an emergency department - A problem with a need for an effective solution

Abstract

We studied the prevalence of polypharmacy in attenders aged 75 years and over to an emergency department (ED) in North London over a period of 1 month. We identified 467 patients in this age group. Analysis of medications being prescribed revealed at least 82 patients on medication with the potential for adverse interaction. There is a need for ED-initiated strategies to identify interactions and for pathways to allow for medication review. © 2011 Banerjee et al; licensee Springer.