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Protzenko D, Nakache J, De la Brosse S, Honoré S, Hache G. Elderly patients whose hospitalization was medication-related were more likely to receive medication recommendations by clinical pharmacist than patients whose hospitalization was unlikely medication-related in non-geriatric units. Res Social Adm Pharm 2023; 19:1386-1390. [PMID: 37355436 DOI: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2023.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Revised: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Elderly patients are often polymedicated, and drug-related hospitalizations are common in this population. In our hospital, pharmacists from the mobile geriatric team (MGT) coordinate medication reviews (MR) for elderly patients hospitalized in non-geriatric wards, to prevent iatrogenic. OBJECTIVE The aim of this work is to determine whether the drug-related origin of hospitalizations can be considered as a targeting criterion for performing MRs. MATERIAL AND METHOD We conducted a retrospective study of data from patients who received a MGT's MR between March 2021 and December 2022, from a single center of more than 1000 beds. The drug-related origin of the hospitalization was estimated as probable or unlikely by the AT-HARM10 tool. Between the two groups, we compared the number of potentially inappropriate prescriptions detected by the PIM-check and START/STOPP tools, drug-drug interactions (DI), unintended discrepancies (UDI) at entry reconciliation, the drug burden index (DBI), and the number of drug-related problems (DRP) i.e., START/STOPP score + DI + UDI. Linear regression of the number of DRP by AT-HARM10 score was computed. RESULTS 110 patients were included. 56 hospitalizations were estimated MRH and 54 non-MRH. Mean age (85.1 ± 7.0), ADL (3.8 ± 1.9), IADL (2.0 ± 1.6), and number of medications at entry (8.9 ± 3.8) were comparable in the 2 groups. Compared with non-MRH group, MRH group had a higher number of START/STOPP criteria (5.7 ± 3.5 vs 3.0 ± 2.6; p < 0.05), PIM-check overuses (2.1 ± 1.7 vs 1.4 ± 1.4; p < 0.05), DI (8.4 ± 9.0 vs 4.7 ± 4.7; p < 0.05), UDI at entry (4.0 ± 3.34 vs 2.2 ± 2.1; p < 0.05), and higher DBI score (0.9 ± 0.7 vs 0.3 ± 0.4; p < 0.05). The number of DRP was higher in group P (17.6 ± 10.8 vs 9.8 ± 6.3; p < 0.00.5). Linear regression showed a positive correlation between AT-HARM10 score and the number of DRP (r = 0.5, p < 0.05) with a coefficient of 7.7 (CI95% = [4.3; 11.1]) and an intercept of 9.8. DISCUSSION These results allow us to consider AT-HARM10 score as a targeting criterion for performing MR for elderly patients, as part of a curative approach to drug iatrogenic for these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorian Protzenko
- Aix Marseille Univ, APHM, Hôpital de la Timone, Service de Pharmacie, Marseille, France.
| | - Jérémie Nakache
- Aix Marseille Univ, APHM, Hôpital de la Timone, Service de Pharmacie, Marseille, France
| | - Sonia De la Brosse
- Aix Marseille Univ, APHM, Hôpital de la Timone, Service de Médecine d'urgence, Marseille, France
| | - Stéphane Honoré
- Aix Marseille Univ, APHM, Hôpital de la Timone, Service de Pharmacie, Marseille, France; OMEDIT PACA-Corse, Marseille, France
| | - Guillaume Hache
- Aix Marseille Univ, APHM, Hôpital de la Timone, Service de Pharmacie, Marseille, France
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Consensus validation of a screening tool for cardiovascular pharmacotherapy in geriatric patients: the RASP_CARDIO list (Rationalization of Home Medication by an Adjusted STOPP list in Older Patients). Eur Geriatr Med 2022; 13:1467-1476. [PMID: 36229756 DOI: 10.1007/s41999-022-00701-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Cardiovascular agents commonly used in geriatric patients, are linked to potentially avoidable harm and might hence be a suitable substrate for medication review practices. Therefore, we sought to update and validate the content of the cardiovascular segment of the previously published Rationalization of Home Medication by an Adjusted STOPP list in Older Patients (RASP) List. METHODS A three-step study was conducted by the pharmacy department in collaboration with the geriatric medicine and cardiology department at the University Hospitals Leuven, Belgium. First, the cardiovascular segment of the RASP list version 2014 was updated taking into account published research, other screening tools and the input of end-users. Secondly, this draft was reviewed during three panel discussions with five expert cardiologists and three clinical pharmacists, all of whom had relevant expertise in geriatric pharmacotherapy. Thirdly, the content was validated using a modified Delphi Technique by a panel of European hospital pharmacists, cardiologists, geriatricians and an internal medicine physician. RESULTS After the first and second step, the RASP_CARDIO list comprised 94 statements. Consensus (≥ 80% agreement) of all statements and one new statement about gliflozins in heart failure was achieved by a panel of seventeen experts across four European countries after two validation rounds. The final construct comprised a list of 95 statements related to potentially inappropriate prescribing of cardiovascular agents. CONCLUSION The RASP_CARDIO list is an updated and validated explicit screening tool to optimize cardiovascular pharmacotherapy in geriatric patients.
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Gomes D, Herdeiro MT, Ribeiro-Vaz I, Ferreira PL, Roque F. Adverse Drug Reactions and Potentially Inappropriate Medication in Older Patients: Analysis of the Portuguese Pharmacovigilance Database. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11082229. [PMID: 35456322 PMCID: PMC9029593 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11082229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Revised: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Criteria have been developed to identify potentially inappropriate medications that can enhance adverse reactions, highly prevalent in older patient’s therapy. This study aimed to identify potentially inappropriate medications within the adverse drug reactions reported in the Portuguese pharmacovigilance system, characterizing the reports where inappropriate medications were identified. INFARMED, I.P. provided all adverse drug reactions reported from January to December 2019 in 65-year-old and older patients. Adverse drug reactions were characterized according to the System Organs Classes, seriousness, and medications with the Anatomical Therapeutical Classification. Potentially inappropriate medications were identified by applying the EU-(7)-PIM and the Beers criteria. A p value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. From the 2337 reports considered for the analysis, PIMs were found in 12.8% of these, and 64.7% of all adverse reaction reports were classified as serious. Within the group of reports including at least one PIM, 71.4% were classified as serious, with hospitalization the most common criteria (35.1%). From the 3170 suspected medicines identified, 10.6% were classified as PIMs. Amiodarone was the most frequent PIM identified in the study (10.1%). Reports including at least one PIM were more associated with a higher number of ADRs (p = 0.025) reported in the same record, higher number of suspected medicines identified (p < 0.001), seriousness (p = 0.005), and hospitalization (p < 0.001). Potentially inappropriate medications are important enhancers of serious adverse drug reactions, increasing the likelihood of hospitalizations. This reinforces the importance of improving medication appropriateness in the older population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Gomes
- Research Unit for Inland Development, Polytechnic of Guarda (UDI-IPG), 6300-559 Guarda, Portugal
- Centre for Health Studies and Research, University of Coimbra, 3004-512 Coimbra, Portugal;
- Correspondence: (D.G.); (M.T.H.); (F.R.)
| | - Maria Teresa Herdeiro
- Institute of Biomedicine, University of Aveiro (iBIMED-UA), 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
- Correspondence: (D.G.); (M.T.H.); (F.R.)
| | - Inês Ribeiro-Vaz
- Porto Pharmacovigilance Centre, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal;
- Center for Health Technology and Services Research (CINTESIS), Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
| | - Pedro Lopes Ferreira
- Centre for Health Studies and Research, University of Coimbra, 3004-512 Coimbra, Portugal;
- Faculty of Economics, University of Coimbra (FEUC), 3004-512 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Fátima Roque
- Research Unit for Inland Development, Polytechnic of Guarda (UDI-IPG), 6300-559 Guarda, Portugal
- Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior (CICS-UBI), 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal
- Correspondence: (D.G.); (M.T.H.); (F.R.)
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Rodrigues DA, Plácido AI, Mateos-Campos R, Figueiras A, Herdeiro MT, Roque F. Effectiveness of Interventions to Reduce Potentially Inappropriate Medication in Older Patients: A Systematic Review. Front Pharmacol 2022; 12:777655. [PMID: 35140603 PMCID: PMC8819092 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.777655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Age-related multiple comorbidities cause older adults to be prone to the use of potentially inappropriate medicines (PIM) resulting in an increased risk of adverse events. Several strategies have emerged to support PIM prescription, and a huge number of interventions to reduce PIM have been proposed. This work aims to analyze the effectiveness of PIM interventions directed to older adults. Methods: A systematic review was performed searching the literature in the MEDLINE PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane scientific databases for interventional studies that assessed the PIM interventions in older adults (≥65 years). Results: Forty-seven articles were included, involving 52 to 124,802 patients. Various types of interventions were analyzed such as medication review, educational strategies, clinical decision support system, and organizational and multifaceted approaches. In the hospital, the most successful intervention was medication review (75.0%), while in primary care, the analysis of all included studies revealed that educational strategies were the most effective. However, the analysis of interventions that have greater evidence by its design was inconclusive. Conclusion: The results obtained in this work suggested that PIM-setting-directed interventions should be developed to promote the wellbeing of the patients through PIM reduction. Although the data obtained suggested that medication review was the most assertive strategy to decrease the number of PIM in the hospital setting, more studies are necessary. Systematic Review Registration: [https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42021233484], identifier [PROSPERO 2021 CRD42021233484].
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela A. Rodrigues
- Research Unit for Inland Development, Polytechnic Institute of Guarda (UDI-IPG), Guarda, Portugal
| | - Ana I. Plácido
- Research Unit for Inland Development, Polytechnic Institute of Guarda (UDI-IPG), Guarda, Portugal
| | - Ramona Mateos-Campos
- Area of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Department of Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences, University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Adolfo Figueiras
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBER Epidemiology and Public Health-CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
- Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Maria Teresa Herdeiro
- Department of Medical Sciences, Institute of Biomedicine (iBiMED), University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Fátima Roque
- Research Unit for Inland Development, Polytechnic Institute of Guarda (UDI-IPG), Guarda, Portugal
- Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior (CICS-UBI), Covilhã, Portugal
- *Correspondence: Fátima Roque,
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Linkens AEMJH, Milosevic V, van Nie N, Zwietering A, de Leeuw PW, van den Akker M, Schols JMGA, Evers SMAA, Gonzalvo CM, Winkens B, van de Loo BPA, de Wolf L, Peeters L, de Ree M, Spaetgens B, Hurkens KPGM, van der Kuy HM. Control in the Hospital by Extensive Clinical rules for Unplanned hospitalizations in older Patients (CHECkUP); study design of a multicentre randomized study. BMC Geriatr 2022; 22:36. [PMID: 35012478 PMCID: PMC8744034 DOI: 10.1186/s12877-021-02723-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Due to ageing of the population the incidence of multimorbidity and polypharmacy is rising. Polypharmacy is a risk factor for medication-related (re)admission and therefore places a significant burden on the healthcare system. The reported incidence of medication-related (re)admissions varies widely due to the lack of a clear definition. Some medications are known to increase the risk for medication-related admission and are therefore published in the triggerlist of the Dutch guideline for Polypharmacy in older patients. Different interventions to support medication optimization have been studied to reduce medication-related (re)admissions. However, the optimal template of medication optimization is still unknown, which contributes to the large heterogeneity of their effect on hospital readmissions. Therefore, we implemented a clinical decision support system (CDSS) to optimize medication lists and investigate whether continuous use of a CDSS reduces the number of hospital readmissions in older patients, who previously have had an unplanned probably medication-related hospitalization. Methods The CHECkUP study is a multicentre randomized study in older (≥60 years) patients with an unplanned hospitalization, polypharmacy (≥5 medications) and using at least two medications from the triggerlist, from Zuyderland Medical Centre and Maastricht University Medical Centre+ in the Netherlands. Patients will be randomized. The intervention consists of continuous (weekly) use of a CDSS, which generates a Medication Optimization Profile, which will be sent to the patient’s general practitioner and pharmacist. The control group will receive standard care. The primary outcome is hospital readmission within 1 year after study inclusion. Secondary outcomes are one-year mortality, number of emergency department visits, nursing home admissions, time to hospital readmissions and we will evaluate the quality of life and socio-economic status. Discussion This study is expected to add evidence on the knowledge of medication optimization and whether use of a continuous CDSS ameliorates the risk of adverse outcomes in older patients, already at an increased risk of medication-related (re)admission. To our knowledge, this is the first large study, providing one-year follow-up data and reporting not only on quality of care indicators, but also on quality-of-life. Trial registration The trial was registered in the Netherlands Trial Register on October 14, 2018, identifier: NL7449 (NTR7691). https://www.trialregister.nl/trial/7449. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12877-021-02723-8.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aimée E M J H Linkens
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, Section Geriatric Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Centre, PO Box 5800, 6202, AZ, Maastricht, The Netherlands. .,Department of Hospital Pharmacy, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3015, GD, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Vanja Milosevic
- Clinical Pharmacy, Elkerliek Hospital, Helmond, The Netherlands
| | - Noémi van Nie
- Zuyderland Medical Centre, Heerlen, Limburg, The Netherlands
| | - Anne Zwietering
- Department of Internal Medicine, Geriatric Medicine, Zuyderland Medical Centre, Heerlen, The Netherlands
| | - Peter W de Leeuw
- Department of Internal Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Marjan van den Akker
- Department of Family Medicine, Care and Public Health Research Institute (CAPHRI), Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.,Institute of General Practice, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jos M G A Schols
- Department of Family Medicine, Care and Public Health Research Institute (CAPHRI), Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.,Department of Health Services Research and Care and Public Health Research Institute (CAPHRI), Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Silvia M A A Evers
- Department of Family Medicine, Care and Public Health Research Institute (CAPHRI), Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.,Centre for Economic Evaluation and Machine Learning, Trimbos Institute, Netherlands Institute of Mental Health and Addiction, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Carlota Mestres Gonzalvo
- Clinical Pharmacy and Toxicology, Maastricht University Medical Centre+, Maastricht, Limburg, The Netherlands
| | - Bjorn Winkens
- Department of Methodology and Statistics, Care and Public Health Research Institute (CAPHRI), Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | | | | | | | | | - Bart Spaetgens
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, Section Geriatric Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Centre, PO Box 5800, 6202, AZ, Maastricht, The Netherlands.,Department of Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Kim P G M Hurkens
- Department of Internal Medicine, Geriatric Medicine, Zuyderland Medical Centre, Heerlen, The Netherlands
| | - Hugo M van der Kuy
- Department of Hospital Pharmacy, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3015, GD, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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Liou WS, Huang SM, Lee WH, Chang YL, Wu MF. The effects of a pharmacist-led medication review in a nursing home: A randomized controlled trial. Medicine (Baltimore) 2021; 100:e28023. [PMID: 35049214 PMCID: PMC9191564 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000028023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In this study, an intensive review of pharmaceutical care for elderly patients was conducted in a Veterans Administration nursing home in Taiwan and its effects were evaluated. METHODS One hundred participants were enrolled in this randomized controlled study with even distribution. The inclusion criteria were age 65 years or older, prescriptions for at least 5 oral medicines daily, and ≥2 chronic diseases, for the period May 2013 to October 2014. Subjects were excluded if they had previously been included in an intensive medication review conducted by a pharmacist. The primary outcomes were numbers of drugs prescribed, potential inappropriate medications, and numbers of drug-related problems. The secondary outcomes were self-reported medical usages, measurements of quality of life, results of a satisfaction survey, and health status. RESULTS A total of 80 cases (42 in the intervention group with medication reconciliation and 38 in the control group without medication reconciliation) completed the study. Baseline characteristics were not statistically different between the 2 groups. The overall prevalence of potential inappropriate medication was 74.3%. There were no differences between the 2 groups, with the exception of "medical problems," which showed a significantly higher prevalence in the intervention group (P < .05). The intervention group reported greater satisfaction regarding pharmacist visits and medication compliance (P < .01). The mean number of drug-related problems was significantly lower after the intervention (P < .01). CONCLUSION In this study, the intensive review of the elderly patients' medications revealed that the only significant effect of pharmaceutical care was on "all outcomes." A possible reason for this is the rather advanced ages of some patients who needed a considerable number of medications to treat several chronic diseases. Another reason may be the small sample size. However, participants who received the pharmacist intervention did have higher satisfaction with medication reconciliation and fewer drug-related problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Shyong Liou
- Department of Pharmacy, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan, R.O.C
- School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Shih-Ming Huang
- Department of Pharmacy, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Wei-Hsin Lee
- Department of Pharmacy, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Yen-Lin Chang
- Department of Pharmacy, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Ming-Fen Wu
- Department of Pharmacy, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan, R.O.C
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Ashworth N, Kain N, Wiebe D, Hernandez-Ceron N, Jess E, Mazurek K. Reducing prescribing of benzodiazepines in older adults: a comparison of four physician-focused interventions by a medical regulatory authority. BMC FAMILY PRACTICE 2021; 22:68. [PMID: 33832432 PMCID: PMC8034172 DOI: 10.1186/s12875-021-01415-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2020] [Accepted: 03/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The inappropriate and/or high prescribing of benzodiazepine and 'Z' drugs (BDZ +) is a major health concern. The purpose of this study was to determine whether physician or pharmacist led interventions or a simple letter or a personalized prescribing report from a medical regulatory authority (MRA) was the most effective intervention for reducing BDZ + prescribing by physicians to patients 65 years of age or older. METHODS This was a four-armed, one year, blinded, randomized, parallel-group, investigational trial in Alberta, Canada. Participants were fully licensed physicians (n = 272) who had prescribed 4 times the defined daily dose (4 + DDD) or more of any BDZ + to an older patient at least once in the 3rd quarter of 2016. All physician-participants were sent a personalized prescribing profile by the MRA. They were then randomized into four groups that received either nothing more, an additional personal warning letter from the MRA, a personal phone call from an MRA pharmacist or a personal phone call from an MRA physician. The main outcomes were prescribing behavior change of physicians at one year in terms of: change in mean number of older patients receiving 4 + DDD BDZ + and mean dose BDZ + prescribed per physician. To adjust for multiple statistical testing, we used MANCOVA to test both main outcome measures simultaneously by group whilst controlling for any baseline differences. RESULTS All groups experienced a significant fall in the total number of older patients receiving 4 + DDD of BDZ + by about 50% (range 43-54%) per physician at one year, and a fall in the mean dose of BDZ + prescribed of about 13% (range 10-16%). However, there was no significant difference between each group. CONCLUSIONS A personalized prescribing report alone sent from the MRA appears to be an effective intervention for reducing very high levels of BDZ + prescribing in older patients. Additional interventions by a pharmacist or physician did not result in additional benefit. The intervention needs to be tested further on a more general population of physicians, prescribing less extreme doses of BDZ + and that looks at more clinical and healthcare utilization outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nigel Ashworth
- Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.
- Research and Evaluation Unit, College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta, 10020-100 Street NW, Edmonton, AB, 2700T5J 0N3, Canada.
| | - Nicole Kain
- Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
- Research and Evaluation Unit, College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta, 10020-100 Street NW, Edmonton, AB, 2700T5J 0N3, Canada
| | - Delaney Wiebe
- Research and Evaluation Unit, College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta, 10020-100 Street NW, Edmonton, AB, 2700T5J 0N3, Canada
| | - Nancy Hernandez-Ceron
- Research and Evaluation Unit, College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta, 10020-100 Street NW, Edmonton, AB, 2700T5J 0N3, Canada
| | - Ed Jess
- Research and Evaluation Unit, College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta, 10020-100 Street NW, Edmonton, AB, 2700T5J 0N3, Canada
| | - Karen Mazurek
- Research and Evaluation Unit, College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta, 10020-100 Street NW, Edmonton, AB, 2700T5J 0N3, Canada
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Hias J, Walgraeve K, Tournoy J, Flamaing J, Spriet I, Van der Linden L. Physician's feedback on a clinical pharmacy program on geriatric wards. Acta Clin Belg 2020; 75:321-328. [PMID: 31179904 DOI: 10.1080/17843286.2019.1629054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES As clinical pharmacy (CP) services can improve drug use and clinical outcome in older inpatients, a dedicated CP program was installed at the geriatric wards of an academic hospital. The aim of this study was to evaluate and potentially improve the CP program, by obtaining physician's feedback. METHODS An anonymous e-questionnaire was sent to all physicians who were active between October 2014 and March 2018 on the acute geriatric wards (80 beds) of the University Hospitals Leuven, Belgium. Thematic content analysis was applied. Six themes were defined: satisfaction with the service, time allocation of the clinical pharmacists, content and clinical relevance of pharmaceutical interventions, communication, time savings for the treating physician and future perspectives. RESULTS A total of 45 physicians (59%) completed the e-questionnaire. All respondents were satisfied with the content of the provided pharmaceutical recommendations. A minority (44%) found that a 0.8 full-time equivalent clinical pharmacist presence was sufficient in terms of the expected workload. The provided CP interventions improved quality of care according to 38 (84%) physicians. Oral and written communication were considered necessary by 89% and 82% of physicians, respectively. On average, an estimated 30 minutes physician time (IQR: 15-60) per patient was saved as a result of the program. The majority (87%) preferred clinical pharmacist presence for discharge support in all geriatric patients. CONCLUSION Physician's satisfaction with the CP service was very high. CP services in geriatric inpatients were perceived to be clinically relevant as well as time-saving by the involved physicians.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Hias
- Pharmacy Department, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - Jos Tournoy
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Chronic Diseases, Metabolism and Ageing, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Johan Flamaing
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Chronic Diseases, Metabolism and Ageing, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Isabel Spriet
- Pharmacy Department, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lorenz Van der Linden
- Pharmacy Department, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Hospital admissions in older adults are frequently drug related and avoidable. Clinical pharmacy interventions during hospital stay might reduce drug-related harm and reduce hospital visits. Moreover, several recent positive clinical pharmacy investigations incorporated a transitional care component to further improve medication use after discharge. It is currently unclear what the strength of evidence is and what the exact components should be of such clinical pharmacy interventions in older adults. OBJECTIVE An evidence-based review was performed to determine the status of the evidence and also to explore whether a clinical pharmacy intervention incorporating transitional care was associated with reduced hospital visits after discharge. METHODS Prospective controlled investigations were included if they contained a clinical pharmacy intervention that was initiated before discharge in older inpatients. Relevant quasi-experimental and randomized controlled trials were searched in MEDLINE. First, an evidence-based review was performed, including a description of the study design, characteristics, and outcomes. Major components of successful clinical pharmacy interventions were described and potential implications for clinical practice and research were determined. Second, the Fisher's exact test was used to explore the association between transitional care and reduced hospital visits. Third, based on these findings, a medication review proposal was developed to improve medication use in older adults. RESULTS Thirty-five studies were included, with 26 randomized controlled trials. Median patient follow-up after discharge was 90 days (interquartile range 37-180 days) and investigators enrolled a median of 210 (interquartile range 110-498) study participants. On average, patients were aged 77.5 years (interquartile range 73-82.2 years). Nine randomized controlled trials had sufficient power to detect a reduction in hospital visits after discharge; this was reduced in three randomized controlled trials. Post-discharge follow-up was not associated with reduced post-discharge hospital visits (20 randomized controlled trials: follow-up vs. no follow-up: 6/11 vs. 1/9, p = 0.070). There was a significant reduction in post-discharge hospital visits in patients aged 75 years or older (12 randomized controlled trials: follow-up vs. no follow-up: 5/7 vs. 0/5, p = 0.028). A medication review proposal was developed, consisting of six steps. CONCLUSIONS Three powered randomized controlled trials were identified that found a significant association between a pharmacist-led intervention in older adults and a reduction in post-discharge hospital visits. In clinical practice, an intervention consisting of medication reconciliation, review, counseling, and post-discharge follow-up should be provided to such high-risk inpatients. Regarding research priorities, large, multi-center randomized controlled trials should be performed to generate more evidence on the impact of clinical pharmacy interventions on the patient trajectory and economic outcomes.
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Aiezza M, Bresciani A, Guglielmi G, Massa M, Tortori E, Marfella R, Aliberti E, Iannuzzi A. Medication review versus usual care to improve drug therapies in hospitalised older patients admitted to internal medicine wards. Eur J Hosp Pharm 2020. [DOI: 10.1136/ejhpharm-2019-002072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
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Van der Linden L, Decoutere L, Beerten L, Delva T, Spriet I, Flamaing J, Tournoy J. External validation of a clinical pharmacy intervention in geriatric inpatients: a controlled study. Int J Clin Pharm 2019; 41:853-858. [PMID: 31093941 DOI: 10.1007/s11096-019-00846-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2018] [Accepted: 05/09/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Background Clinical pharmacist interventions have been shown to improve drug use in older adults. Study findings are seldom externally validated however. Objective First, to validate a minimized iteration of a previously tested intervention of clinical pharmacists in a non-academic setting with limited staffing resources. Second, to compare the potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) reduction to two previous controlled interventional studies. Methods A controlled study was performed at geriatric wards. The control group received usual care. The intervention group was exposed to a clinical pharmacist led medication review, based on the use of the RASP list, (the Rationalization of Home Medication by an Adjusted STOPP list in Older Patients). Drug use on admission and at discharge were evaluated, including the number of RASP-identified potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs). The PIM reduction was compared to two previous controlled study findings using a linear mixed model. Results Drug use declined during hospital stay, without differences between control (n = 29) and intervention group (n = 32). Antidepressants and hypnotic drugs were discontinued more frequently in IG patients. More PIMs were reduced in the intervention patients (control vs. intervention: 1.0 vs. 3.0, p < 0.001). Across three controlled studies, a robust reduction of 1.56 PIMs (95% confidence interval 1.10-2.02, p < 0.001) was observed in favor of the CP interventions. Conclusion The minimal CP intervention resulted in fewer RASP PIMs. No net reduction of drug use was observed, yet fewer antidepressants and hypnotic drugs were used. The RASP PIM reduction was comparable to previous investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenz Van der Linden
- Pharmacy Department, University Hospitals Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Louvain, Belgium. .,Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, Louvain, Belgium.
| | | | - Leen Beerten
- Pharmacy Department, Jessa Hospital, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Toon Delva
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, Jessa Hospital, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Isabel Spriet
- Pharmacy Department, University Hospitals Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Louvain, Belgium.,Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, Louvain, Belgium
| | - Johan Flamaing
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, University Hospitals Leuven, Louvain, Belgium.,Department of Chronic Diseases, Metabolism and Ageing, KU Leuven, Louvain, Belgium
| | - Jos Tournoy
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, University Hospitals Leuven, Louvain, Belgium.,Department of Chronic Diseases, Metabolism and Ageing, KU Leuven, Louvain, Belgium
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Gutiérrez-Valencia M, Izquierdo M, Beobide-Telleria I, Ferro-Uriguen A, Alonso-Renedo J, Casas-Herrero Á, Martínez-Velilla N. Medicine optimization strategy in an acute geriatric unit: The pharmacist in the geriatric team. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2019; 19:530-536. [PMID: 30950148 DOI: 10.1111/ggi.13659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2018] [Revised: 12/28/2018] [Accepted: 02/20/2019] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
AIM Older patients admitted to acute geriatric units (AGU) frequently use many medications and are particularly vulnerable to adverse drug events, so specific interventions in this setting are required. In the present study, we describe a new medicine optimization strategy in an AGU, and explore its potential in reducing polypharmacy and improving medication appropriateness. METHODS The present prospective study included patients aged ≥75 years who were admitted to an AGU in a tertiary hospital. An intervention based on a pharmacist clinical interview, medication history and a structured medication review within a comprehensive geriatric assessment was proposed. The differences regarding polypharmacy as the primary outcome (≥5 chronic drugs), hyperpolypharmacy (≥10), number of drugs, drug-related problems and Screening Tool of Older Person's Prescription/Screening Tool to Alert Doctors to Right Treatment criteria between admission and discharge were evaluated. RESULTS From October 2016 to April 2017, 234 patients were enrolled, aged 87.6 years (SD 4.6 years); 143 (61.1%) were women. The intervention resulted in a statistically significant improvement in polypharmacy (-10.2%, 95% CI -15.3, -5.2), hyperpolypharmacy (-16.6%, 95% CI -22.3 -11.0), number of medications (-1.4, 95% CI -1.8, -1.0), Screening Tool of Older Person's Prescription criteria (-19.2%, 95% CI -24.9, -13.6), Screening Tool to Alert Doctors to Right Treatment criteria (-6.8%, 95% CI -10.1, -3.5) and drug-related problems (-2.7, 95% CI -2.9, -2.4; P ≤ 0.001 for all). CONCLUSIONS A systematic pharmacist-led intervention at hospital admission to an AGU within a comprehensive geriatric assessment was associated to a decrease in polypharmacy, drug-related problems and potentially inappropriate prescribing. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2019; 19: 530-536.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Gutiérrez-Valencia
- Health Science Department, Public University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.,Geriatrics Research Group, Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Mikel Izquierdo
- Health Science Department, Public University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.,Group CB16/10/00315, CIBER of Frailty and Healthy Aging, Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | - Javier Alonso-Renedo
- Geriatrics Research Group, Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Spain.,Geriatric Department, Complejo Hospitalario de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Álvaro Casas-Herrero
- Geriatrics Research Group, Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Spain.,Group CB16/10/00315, CIBER of Frailty and Healthy Aging, Madrid, Spain.,Geriatric Department, Complejo Hospitalario de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Nicolás Martínez-Velilla
- Geriatrics Research Group, Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Spain.,Group CB16/10/00315, CIBER of Frailty and Healthy Aging, Madrid, Spain.,Geriatric Department, Complejo Hospitalario de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
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13
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Ertuna E, Arun MZ, Ay S, Koçak FÖK, Gökdemir B, İspirli G. Evaluation of pharmacist interventions and commonly used medications in the geriatric ward of a teaching hospital in Turkey: a retrospective study. Clin Interv Aging 2019; 14:587-600. [PMID: 30962679 PMCID: PMC6432892 DOI: 10.2147/cia.s201039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Aging increases the prevalence of diseases. The elderly population is consequently often exposed to complex medication regimens. Increased drug use is one of the main reasons for drug-related problems (DRPs). The primary objective of this study was to define and classify DRPs, pharmacist interventions, and frequently prescribed medications in relation to possible DRPs in patients admitted to the geriatric ward of a teaching hospital in Turkey. Patients and methods Pharmacist medication review reports for 200 orders of 91 patients (mean age: 80.33±0.46) were analyzed retrospectively. Results A total of 1,632 medications were assessed and 329 interventions were proposed for possible DRPs in 156 orders. A total of 87.5% of the patients used five or more drugs (mean: 8.17±0.23). The number of DRPs per order was higher when polypharmacy was present (1.04±0.15 vs 1.66±0.11, P<0.05). In 71.31% of the cases, adverse drug events were recognized as the problem. The principal cause of possible DRPs was determined as drug interactions (40.12%). Only 22 potentially inappropriate medications were prescribed. The most common interventions included monitoring drug therapy (31.0%), stopping the drug (20.06%), and changing dosage (13.98%). The acceptance rate of pharmacist interventions by treating geriatrician was 85.41%. The most frequently prescribed drugs were for the nervous system, alimentary tract and metabolism, and cardiovascular system (n=358, 314, and 304, respectively). The pharmaceutical forms of 23 drugs were deemed inappropriate by pharmacists. Conclusion Clinical pharmacy services are still not properly implemented in Turkey. The study highlights ways in which clinical pharmacy services can be instrumental in a geriatric ward. The high acceptance rates of pharmacist recommendations concerning a wide variety of DRPs and different classes of drugs indicate that advanced collaboration among geriatricians and pharmacists is possible in interdisciplinary geriatric assessment teams in Turkey.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elif Ertuna
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey,
| | - Mehmet Zuhuri Arun
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey,
| | - Seval Ay
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Geriatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Fatma Özge Kayhan Koçak
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Geriatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Bahattin Gökdemir
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Geriatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Gül İspirli
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Geriatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
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14
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Van der Linden L, Hias J, Spriet I, Walgraeve K, Flamaing J, Tournoy J. Medication review in older adults: Importance of time to benefit. Am J Health Syst Pharm 2019; 76:247-250. [DOI: 10.1093/ajhp/zxy038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Lorenz Van der Linden
- Pharmacy Department, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Julie Hias
- Pharmacy Department, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Isabel Spriet
- Pharmacy Department, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - Johan Flamaing
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Chronic Diseases, Metabolism and Ageing, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jos Tournoy
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Chronic Diseases, Metabolism and Ageing, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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