Invited Commentary

Commentary on "Therapeutic Error Calls Among Older Adults Reported to a Regional Poison Control Center in Alabama"

Authors: James M. Wooten, PharmD

Abstract

The study by Willis et al in this issue of the Southern Medical Journal reviewed subjects aged 65 years or older who contacted their regional poison control center regarding a potential drug-induced problem.1 This retrospective study gathered information on those calls that were coded as unintentional therapeutic errors. The outcomes of this study are illustrative of documenting common medication-related problems in older adult patients. Some of the more common problems reported include taking or being given the same medication twice, taking or being given the wrong medication, using an incorrect dose or route of administration, and potential incorrect dosing errors.

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