Pressure sores in the elderly. A systematic approach to management.

Pressure sores are a serious but often avoidable problem. The best management plan focuses on early identification of high-risk patients, appropriate allocation of resources, and adequate techniques of pressure relief. A standardized treatment plan that is familiar to care givers should be followed.

Drug therapy communications to family physicians in a nursing home.

The investigation described in this paper evaluated the effectiveness of written drug-therapy communications to family physicians working in a nursing home. Data analysis tracked the nature of the recommendation, as well as physician acceptance/rejection. The most frequent recommendations involved drug-level determinations, drug withdrawal and dosage modifications.

Consultant pharmacist impact on antihypertensive therapy in a geriatric long-term care facility.

Antihypertensive therapy of a group of elderly patients in a long-term care facility was compared before and after the addition of a consultant pharmacist to the health care team. Criterion variables were systolic and diastolic pressure and drug cost and use. Consultant pharmacist protocol included drug history and monthly use review and pertinent communications regarding problems.