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Saturday, June 09, 2007

Nag-A-Tronic: Boost Medication Compliance
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We hear it all the time, America is getting older.

The over-85 age group is our country's fastest growing demographic. Most are taking three or more prescription medications - pills and eyedrops - and half the time they are doing it incorrectly (if at all!)

34 million Americans are involved in caring for older family members and things can get very complicated when trying to make sure the right medicine is being dispensed in the right dose at the right time. Did you know that 15% of caregivers live at least an hour away from the person in need?

WARNING! If you cannot program the clock on your DVD player you should click-away immediately!

Electronic medication dispensers have been around hospitals for a decade or so. They resemble a computerized vending machine on wheels. The nurse travels from room to room and the dispenser keeps things organized. Between shifts the pharmacy reloads the device. It tracks medication doses to improve patient safety and, lest we forget, to optimize billing.

Electronic pillboxes for consumers have arrived and more are on the way. There are four important functions:
  • remind the patient to take their drugs
  • organize the medications to prevent mistakes
  • dispense accurate doses, and
  • monitor consumption
The more features you want the more expensive/complicated things get.

Simple models merely nag a person to take their medication and that alone may be sufficient to assure compliance with the doctor's instructions. Alerts can be transmitted with beepers, email, customized telephone rings, and even onscreen messages over the TV.

More advanced electronic medication managers can notify the caregivers as well. That's likely the most powerful innovation because family members can confirm if the drug schedule is being accurately followed.

Models that automatically dispense medications still require a human to properly load the device's different compartments and input the dosing schedule (remember that DVD timer?)

Here are some popular devices:
Time will tell if consumers adapt to the potential benefits of this helpful technology. Simpler, less-expensive devices will likely gain popularity whereas the more sophisticated gizmos may end up with a blinking 12:00 AM just like your DVD player.

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Posted by: Dr. Lloyd at 11:26 AM

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