Medication Safety in Older Adults: Learning From 2020 as We Launch into 2021.

ABSTRACT

In health care, the year 2020 is marked by the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, with much research published to clarify infection risk, treatment approaches, and proposed interventions to reduce spread and combat complications. Although much work focused on COVID-19, medication safety remains a priority, and studies on adverse drug reactions, high-risk medications, and approaches to mitigate risk associated with chronic medication use, such as inappropriate dosing in hospital settings, were published. A continued commitment to patient-centered care, such as the approach put forth by the Age-Friendly Health Systems initiative and telehealth initiatives, ensures that even as health care practice strives to meet the challenge of an unprecedented global pandemic, safe medication use informed by patient needs continues to guide best practices through lessons learned. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 47(1), 7-11.].