Reducing the burden of multiple medications: nurses' views on strategies to prevent polypharmacy in Ajman, UAE

ABSTRACT

Polypharmacy is often used to imply a negative situation involving unnecessary or inappropriate use of medications. Nurse can contribute significantly in reducing the number of medications prescribed. The study was planned to identify the nurses' opinions on different strategies that could be used to prevent polypharmacy. This cross section study was conducted during March to May 2011 among nurses who are working in a tertiary care hospital in Ajman, UAE. In addition to socio-demographic characteristics the pilot-tested self-administered, questionnaire contained 20 items to collect information. Chi-square test was used to compare percentages by socio-demographic characteristics using PSAW software. The significance level for all analyses was pnurses comprised 13 male nurses and 92 female nurses. 90.5% nurses felt the need for strategies to reduce polypharmacy, 58% opined that health care professionals have a primary role in preventing polypharmacy. Improving patient-physician communication and patient-nurse communication and continued education for nurses were the most commonly recommended strategies by nurses. 96.2% of the nurses suggested that patients should carry their previous prescriptions, including over the counter medications. Implementation of strategies to reduce polypharmacy at hospital and community level is the need of the hour to bring into reality the practice of rational polypharmacy