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Oklahoma University Opens Medication Management Clinic

Posted on: Tuesday, 14 March 2006, 21:00 CST

By Kevan Goff-Parker

Medication-related problems can be a dangerous challenge for seniors and that's why the University of Oklahoma Institute for Geriatric Pharmacy is now offering new services through its Medication Management Clinic for Seniors, a board-certified specialist in geriatric pharmacy said on Monday.

Mark Stratton, an OU professor of pharmacy and geriatric pharmacy specialist, said he created the Institute for Geriatric Pharmacy because 50,000 to 75,000 seniors die annually due to problems associated with their medications.

We can speak from a national perspective of the incredible risk of hospitalization and death associated with the elderly and their medications, Stratton said. Older people are more likely to end up hospitalized because of problems associated with their medications. The average number of medications a senior takes is five to six a day, but I've certainly seen some who take 15 to 20 per day.

Such is the case of one senior citizen Stratton assessed in December. He said the patient was on 18 different medications.

It was my feeling that the quality of the patient's life was being affected by the multitude of medications she was on, Stratton said. Because of her age, her sensitivity to the medications was also increased. I made eight separate recommendations to modify her medications.

Of course, the success of the assessment and recommendations is contingent on the follow-up by patients and their physicians, he said.

He said the natural changes associated with aging can sometimes cause problems for seniors, including the fact that an elderly person's organs metabolize medication, but can change over time and cause some seniors to be at-risk for medication-related side effects.

A patient's initial-visit fee is $300, followed by charges of $100 for follow-up visits. Stratton said the fee structure was decided after researching similar models in Florida and Georgia. The clinic is located in the OU Physicians Building, 825 NE 10th St. in Oklahoma City. The clinic is open on Wednesday mornings only.

We created a special niche for patients in need, he said. When there is a concern that a patient is on too many medications, of possible drug interaction or side effects, we provide the only comprehensive medication assessment in Oklahoma.

Stratton said the consultation services offered by the clinic not only help provide an important safeguard for seniors, it can often offer a greater peace of mind for their caregivers.

In addition to the comprehensive review, the clinic will:

* Assess a patient's understanding of and compliance with their medications.

* Identify possible adverse reactions.

* Review the appropriateness of the medication for the senior's age.

* Evaluate use of pharmacies and prescription costs, plus provide advice on Medicare part D and selecting a drug plan.

* Present the individual with a written report with the appraisal and recommendations for the person and their physician.

Source: Journal Record - Oklahoma City

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