Drug Safety

Americans age 65 and above take an average of four or more prescription medications and two over-the-counter drugs. Physiologic changes as a person ages often cause prescription drugs to interact or have unexpected effects. Not surprisingly, studies have found that from 14% to 24% of older patients have filled one or more prescriptions that had the potential to harm them.

VHQC is consulting with a group of physician practices to improve the way they prescribe medications to older patients. Our approach leverages the interactive functionality of electronic health records to decrease the incidence of drug-on-drug interactions and the prescription of potentially inappropriate medications.

Through this website, we also are offering information and educational tools about medication-related problems to patients, caregivers, healthcare providers and Medicare Part D drug plans.

To learn more, select a topic from the dropdown menu or contact us.