Characteristics of Medication Administration Problems in Patients with Dysphagia
Pattareeya Keithmaleesatti, MSc1,4, Samerduen Kharmwan, MD2,4, Pattra Wattanapan, MD2,4, Chompilai Nuntharuksa, MNS3,4, Kannikar Kongbunkiat, MD5
Affiliation : 1Pharmacy Division Service Department, Srinagarind Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand, 2 Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand, 3Nursing Department, Srinagarind Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand, 4Dysphagia Research Group, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand, 5Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
Objective: To identify administering medications problems faced by dysphagia patients
Materials and Methods: Cross-sectional research was conducted between February and August 2023 at the Srinagarind Hospital, Khon Kaen University. Data were collected from patients and/or caregivers using a questionnaire and a structured interview.
Results: A total of 89 participants included 64 males (71.9%) and 25 females (28.1%). Stroke was found to be the most common cause of dysphagia in 84 subjects (94.4%). The median of the duration since the onset of dysphagia was 40 weeks. Problems encountered in drug administration can be divided into 3 issues. The first part is problems related to the patient themselves: unable to take medicine by mouth yet was 61 cases (68.5 %), unable to self-administer medication was 70 cases (78.7%) and they had experience choking problems while taking the medicine was 18 cases (29.5%). The second part is the problem of managing the daily medications. For individuals receiving medication through the feeding tube, the tube blockages and improper medication preparation were prevalent. Some types of medicines crushed with improper equipment can leave drug residue in the mortar, resulting in patients receiving incomplete dose. Third part is the patient rely totally on caregiver for administer medication was 85 (95.5%), which problems encountered such as not reading drug label was 7 cases (7.9%). Preparation of medicine by incorrect methods or using improper equipment for grinding results in incomplete dosage of medicine.
Conclusion: Administering medications effectively, with a focus on quality of life, is a major challenge for people with dysphagia and those who care for them. Pharmacists should not only develop standard procedures and instruments to reduce these issues but also play a significant role in improving the administration of medications.
Keywords : Medication administration; Dysphagia; Stroke; Medication problem
