Adverse drug events in older adults happen twice as often as in younger adults and lead to hospitalization seven times as often. It is estimated that 30 percent of hospitalizations, for those over the age of 65, are due to adverse drug events. Older adults are at greater risk because of the multiple chronic conditions they experience, the large number of prescription medications, over-the-counter and complementary ( medicines they take and the large number of providers they encounter. Providers must be aware of the risk of drug-drug and drug-disease interactions as well as potentially inappropriate medications to avoid adverse drug events.

CIMRO of Nebraska is sponsoring an opportunity for pharmacists serving Medicare beneficiaries in Nebraska to get free ACPE-accredited continuing pharmacy education online through The Collaborative Education Institute (CEI). Additional details are located in the CEI Brochure and the Drug Safety CEI Web Site Tutorial locations in the Documents section below.

If you or your organization would like assistance in reducing the risk of drug-drug interactions or the use of potentially inappropriate medications in the elderly, please contact CIMRO of Nebraska for assistance.

For additional drug safety resources, please view the Drug Safety Documents and Links sections.