Negative Results Associated With Medication in the Emergency Department of a Hospital

Negative outcomes associated with medication in patients with chronic atrial fibrillation who present at the emergency department

“…These results differ from those reported in other studies in hospital emergency departments [16][17][18][19][20] and observation areas, [37][38][39] where they were mainly related with effectiveness. These results differ from those reported in other studies in hospital emergency departments [16][17][18][19][20] and observation areas, [37][38][39] where they were mainly related with effectiveness.…”

“…In our study, 67Á7% of the patients with chronic atrial fibrillation had negative outcomes associated with medication; this proportion is higher than in other studies using the Dader method in hospital emergency departments, [16][17][18][19][20] but these studies included all kinds of patients (not only those with chronic disease). In the ESFINGE study, the mean age was 82 years, more than 80% were hypertensive, and nearly 40% were diabetic, with mean Barthel and Charlson scores of 67Á5 and 3Á5, respectively.…”

“…In the ESFINGE study, the mean age was 82 years, more than 80% were hypertensive, and nearly 40% were diabetic, with mean Barthel and Charlson scores of 67Á5 and 3Á5, respectively. In our study, 67Á7% of the patients with chronic atrial fibrillation had negative outcomes associated with medication; this proportion is higher than in other studies using the Dader method in hospital emergency departments, [16][17][18][19][20] but these studies included all kinds of patients (not only those with chronic disease). In these studies, patients' mean age ranged from 42 to 54 years, and high proportion did not have high comorbidity or polypharmacy, which would explain the lower prevalence (19-35Á7%) of negative outcomes associated with medication.…”

“…4 Chronic atrial fibrillation is the most common type of atrial fibrillation, 5 predominating in older patients and coinciding with other cardiovascular risks such as heart failure, hypertension, diabetes mellitus and ischaemic cerebrovascular events. 15 Several recent publications have analysed negative outcomes associated with medication in general populations of patients presenting to hospital emergency departments, [16][17][18][19][20] and others have focused on this problem in patients with chronic diseases such as hypertension or heart failure, among others, presenting to outpatient clinics. However, medication can have adverse effects and/or be ineffective, 6-10 especially in older patients.…”

“…[11][12][13][14] Negative outcomes associated with medication are defined as inappropriate health outcomes related to the use or failure to use prescribed drugs. 15 Several recent publications have analysed negative outcomes associated with medication in general populations of patients presenting to hospital emergency departments, [16][17][18][19][20] and others have focused on this problem in patients with chronic diseases such as hypertension or heart failure, among others, presenting to outpatient clinics. 21,22 Patients with chronic atrial fibrillation often present to hospital emergency departments with acute problems because these departments are readily available, can perform complementary tests round the clock and offer rapid attention and admission to hospital when necessary.…”