Purpose
This study aimed to clarify the factors that influence medication adherence of older adults supported by nurses in acute care hospitals.
Methods
An anonymous self-administered questionnaire survey was conducted with nurses working in randomly selected acute care hospitals in Japan. The contents of the survey included 40 items, which assessed medication adherence and prescription background for one elderly case for which the nurses provided medication support. The analysis was done statistically.
Results
Responses were received from 629 nurses. Valid responses included 464 responses, with no defects in the responses to the 40 items assessing medication adherence. The average score of the medication adherence assessment tool was 129.65 points. Adherence was significantly lower in older adults, those using neuropsychiatric medications, and those with longer morbidity and prescription periods for the main illness. Additionally, significantly lower subfactors for continued medication control were noted in cases of neuropsychiatric medication use, long prescription periods, and pharmacist intervention. The result of the binomial logistic regression analysis showed that the factors related to a low total medication adherence score was ≥85 (odds ratio [OR], 2.27; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.30–3.95) and a history of cardiovascular disease (OR, 0.60; 95% CI, 0.38–0.97).
Conclusion
Older adults exhibiting low medication adherence require careful assessment of adverse drug events and polypharmacy issues as well as active support.