Nursing Topic: Beer’s Criteria Assignment 1
Nursing Topic: Beer’s Criteria Assignment
School of Nursing, Liberty University
The 2019 American Geriatrics Society (AGS) updated Beers Criteria is a valuable to is a
valuable tool used in geriatric medicine that aims to optimize medication use and reduce
adverse drug events in geriatric, or elderly, patients. The AGS Beers Criteria are used to avoid
inappropriate medication use in patients greater than 65 years old. The aim of this paper is to
explore the purpose of the Beer’s criteria and how it can be utilized in the treatment of geriatric
patients to improve health outcomes.
The Beers Criteria is a list of potentially inappropriate medications (PIM) for use in older
adults due to their risk of causing adverse effects or interactions in this vulnerable population.
Its primary purpose it to promote safe and effective medication management for geriatric
patients, as they are often more susceptible to medication-related problems. There are five
Nursing Topic: Beer’s Criteria Assignment 2
main categories that include PIM in older adults, PIM to avoid in older adults with certain
conditions, medications to be used with considerable caution in older adults, medication
combinations that may lead to harmful interactions, a list of medications that should be avoided
or dosed differently for those with poor renal function (Greenberg, 2019).
To employ the Beers Criteria when treating geriatric patients, there are several steps
healthcare providers need to follow. First, a comprehensive medication review should be
performed. Any potentially inappropriate medications should be identified using the Beers
Criteria list. If a patient’s medication is identified as a PIM, the provider should assess the
individual risk vs benefit. The patient’s specific circumstances should be considered, and the
potential benefits should be weighed against the risk of a medication. In some cases, it may be
appropriate to continue using a PIM it its benefits significantly outweigh the risks.
The next step includes medication deprescribing. In this step, the provider should work
with the patient and/or their family to gradually reduce or discontinue PIM, especially if they
are no longer necessary or causing more harm than good. The provider should seek
appropriate, safe medication alternatives that can be prescribed instead. The final step in
utilizing Beers Criteria is monitoring and follow-up care. It is important that the provider
monitors the patient’s response to any medication changes, assess for adverse effects, and
assess medication efficacy.
The Bible emphasized the importance of compassion and stewardship in caring for the
elderly. Leviticus 19:32 proclaims “Stand up in the presence of the aged, show respect for the
elderly and revere your God. I am the Lord.” As healthcare providers, we are called to treat our
geriatric patients with dignity, empathy, and patience. The use of Beers Criteria allows
healthcare providers to improve the well-being of elderly patients and honor their lives by
providing the best possible care.
Nursing Topic: Beer’s Criteria Assignment 3
References
By the 2019 American Geriatrics Society Beers Criteria® Update, Expert Panel. (2019). American
geriatrics society 2019 updated AGS beers criteria® for potentially inappropriate medication
use in older adults. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 67(4), 674-694.
10.1111/jgs.15767
Greenberg, S. (2019). The 2019 American Geriatrics Society Updated Beers Criteria® for
Potentially Inappropriate Medication Use in Older Adults | NYU Hartford Institute of
Geriatric Nursing. Retrieved form:
https://hign.org/consultgeri/try-this-series/2019american-geriatrics-society-updated-
beers-criteria-r-potentially
New International Bible. (2011). Zondervan. (Original work published 1978)
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