1Lecturer, Department of Pharmacology, Gulf Medical College Hospital & Research Centre, Ajman, UAE
2Research Associate & Associate Professor, Research Division, Gulf Medical College Hospital & Research Centre, Ajman, UAE
3Assistant Director and Professor, Research Division, Gulf Medical College Hospital & Research Centre, Ajman, UAE
4Professor and Head Department of Pharmacology, Gulf Medical College Hospital & Research Centre, Ajman, UAE
5Professor and Dean, College of Pharmacy, Gulf Medical College Hospital & Research Centre, Ajman, UAE
6Department of Pediatrics, Gulf Medical College Hospital & Research Centre, Ajman, UAE
7Department of Cardiology, Gulf Medical College Hospital & Research Centre, Ajman, UAE
Polypharmacy is often used to imply a negative situation involving unnecessary or inappropriate use of medications. Nurses can contribute significantly in reducing the number of medications prescribed. Hence, this study was planned to identify nurse's opinions on different strategies to prevent polypharmacy.
This cross sectional study was undertaken in March-May 2011 among nurses who were working in a tertiary care hospital in Ajman UAE. A self-administered, pilot-tested questionnaire containing 20–items was used to collect information. Data were analysed at a signifi cance level of p≤0.05.
13 male nurses and 92 female nurses were included in the study. 90.5% nurses felt that strategies to reduce polypharmacy were necessary. 58% felt that health care professionals have primary role in preventing polypharmacy. Improving patient-physician communication, patientnurse communication and continued education for nurses were the most commonly recommended strategies by nurses. 96.2% of the nurses suggested that patients should carry the lists of their previous prescriptions, including over the counter medications.
Nurses showed keen interest in implementation of strategies to reduce polypharmacy at hospital to rationalize prescribing and thus reduce polypharmacy.
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Figures and Tables: tables:2 Figures:1
Polypharmacy, Strategies, Nurses, Patient-Nurse Communication
