Study shows inappropriate drug scheduling.

The study indicated that in one nursing home, problems of inappropriate drug scheduling and administration can commonly occur. If a consultant pharmacist or a provider pharmacist with hospital training schedules the drugs as they should be given, there still is cause for concern--when those orders and schedules are not adhered to in the facility. In the reported study, the consultant, who visited the nursing home monthly, discovered that most problems were due to poor follow-up with the scheduling and intended administration schedule. The PAC survey for medication errors and the federal standards, otherwise known as the indicators for drug monitoring and regimen review, must be followed and monitored by the consultant and provider pharmacists, administrator, director of nursing, and charge nurses-to ensure the safest and most efficacious use of medications. While the study cannot be assumed to be representative of all nursing homes, scheduling and administration of meds are a problem for consideration by nursing home administrators, medical directors, attending physicians, directors of nursing, and pharmacists working in long-term care facilities.