Geriatric Quick Consult      Medications to Avoid in the Elderly      Do #9

Review discharge medication orders; include all medications needed for post-acute and chronic care. Ensure that patients have prescriptions and can obtain medicines at the time of hospital discharge.



Knowledge Action
Older patients being discharged from the hospital often fail to take discharge medications because they do not have the medication in the home.

The home is not like the hospital: simply writing an order does not mean that medicine will be delivered and taken.

Common reasons for this problem include:
  1. not receiving prescriptions for medicines at the time of discharge

  2. not being able to obtain discounted medicines at the hospital pharmacy prior to leaving the facility, for less affluent patients

  3. not being able to afford expensive medicines at their own pharmacy

  4. not having anyone that can pick up the medications for the patient
  • When discharging patients, make sure that someone on the medical team reviews the specific plans for obtaining medications for use at home, and that the patient has the needed prescriptions.


  • If there is an insurmountable cost issue, see if an alternate drug can be substituted at a lower cost.
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