Abstract
Background
Emergency Departments (EDs) struggle with obtaining accurate medication information
from patients.
Objective
Our aim was to estimate the proportion of urban ED patients who are able to complete
a self-administered medication form and record patient observations of the medication
information process.
Methods
In this cross-sectional study, we consecutively sampled ED patients during various
shifts between 8 am and 10 pm. We created a one-page medication questionnaire that included a list of 49 common
medications, categorized by general indications. We asked patients to circle any medications
they took and write the names of those not on the form in a dedicated area on the
bottom of the page. After their visit, we asked patients to recall which providers
had asked them about their medications.
Results
Research staff approached 354 patients; median age was 45 years (interquartile range
29–53 years). Two hundred and forty-nine (70%) completed a form, 61 (17%) were too
ill, 19 (5%) could not read it, and 25 (7%) refused to participate. Excluding refusals,
249 of 329 (76%; 95% confidence interval 70–80%) were able to complete the form. Of
209 patients recalling their visit, 180 (86%) indicated that multiple providers took
a history, including 103 in which every provider did so, and 9 (4%) indicated that
no provider took a medication history.
Conclusions
The process of ED medication information transfer often involves redundant efforts
by the health care team. More than 70% of patients presenting for Emergency care were
able to complete a self-administered medication information form.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: April 19, 2013
Accepted:
January 18,
2013
Received in revised form:
October 4,
2012
Received:
May 21,
2012
Footnotes
The authors received support from an intramural grant from the University of Maryland Emergency Medicine Associates.
Identification
Copyright
© 2013 Elsevier Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
