# GEM108 | Medication Management in the Older ED Patient Return to Course Collection → GEM108 Course Director Don Melady, MD Authors Don Melady, MD Marie-Pier Lanoue, MDCM Faculty Marie-Pier Lanoue, MDCM Aaron Malsch, RN Kevin Biese, MD Educational Content Copyright © 2023 The Geriatric Emergency Department Collaborative. All rights reserved. A Geri-EM E-Learning Module Medication issues in older patients in the Emergency Department are among the most challenging and important areas of their management. In this era of chronic disease management, most older people come to the ED already taking five or more medications. Indeed, in 2016, 1 in 4 North American seniors was prescribed 10 + different drugs. Older adults 65 years and older will receive twice as much medications as their younger counterparts. Many ED visits are actually generated by an adverse effect of some medication, and most visits involve the administration or the addition of at least one more new drug. The potential for unwanted effects from interactions between the various drugs or interactions between the drugs and the patient’s diseases is almost unlimited – particularly in a physiologic system that is changing with age. Throughout this module we will review the physiologic changes that occur with aging and demonstrate the effect they can have on how the aging body both processes and responds to medications. You will examine case studies, all of which could appear in your ED, that illustrate points about polypharmacy, communication, and strategies to manage especially high-risk medication classes. Learning Objectives By the end of this module, ED care providers will be able to: Describe the physiologic changes associated with healthy aging that affect medication use. Explain physiologic changes that affect prescribing in the older patient. Select appropriate drugs and dosages considering the patient’s acute and chronic diagnoses, other medications, and functional status. Recognize high-risk medication classes and how they can be safely used or avoided. Demonstrate an approach to polypharmacy including an awareness of drug-drug and drug-disease interactions. Attendance at this course does not indicate nor guarantee competence or proficiency in the performance of any procedures which may be discussed or taught in this course. Course Details Release Date: 06/01/2022 Expiration Date: 12/31/2027 Continuing Education Credits AMA Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science designates this live activity for a maximum of 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. ANCC Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science designates this activity for a maximum of 1.00 ANCC contact hours. Nurses should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.