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Tang JY, Teng PHJ, Chen CY, Tan KT, Ang W, Lau S, Ang AGC, Kyaw KK, Tay XY, Lim WMS, Espeleta WDV, Lin H, Ding YY, Lun P. Appropriate Prescribing for older adults with Multimorbidity (Pro-M): protocol for a feasibility study. Arch Public Health 2024; 82:37. [PMID: 38500190 PMCID: PMC10949664 DOI: 10.1186/s13690-024-01264-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Potentially inappropriate prescribing is common among older adults with multimorbidity due to various reasons, from concurrent application of multiple single-disease clinical guidelines to fragmentation of care. Interventions such as medication review have been implemented worldwide to reduce inappropriate prescribing for older adults. However, the implementability of such interventions are underexplored in the outpatient clinics in Singapore's public hospitals. Hence, the Pro-M study aims to assess the feasibility of implementing a physician-pharmacist collaborative care intervention in geriatric medicine outpatient clinics to facilitate appropriate prescribing for older adults in Singapore. METHODS This is a single-arm, non-randomised feasibility study using a pre-post evaluation design. This study consists of two parts: (1) implementation phase of the intervention (6 months) and an (2) evaluation phase (3 months). Eligible patients will be recruited from geriatric medicine outpatient clinics at two public hospitals in Singapore through convenience sampling. The main components of the Pro-M intervention are: (1) pharmacist-facilitated medication reviews with feedback on any medication issues and potential recommendations to physicians, and (2) physicians communicating changes to other relevant prescribers. The evaluation phase will involve surveying and interviewing physicians and pharmacists involved in the implementation of the intervention. A mixed-method approach will be employed for data collection and analysis. The quantitative and qualitative findings will be triangulated and reported using Proctor's implementation outcomes: appropriateness, penetration, acceptability, fidelity, feasibility, and sustainability. A basic cost analysis will be conducted alongside the study. DISCUSSION This is a phase 2 study to test the feasibility of implementing an intervention that was co-created with stakeholders during phase 1 development of an intervention to optimise prescribing for older adults with multimorbidity. The implementation will be assessed using Proctor's implementation outcomes to provide insights on the process and the feasibility of implementing medication reviews for older adults with multimorbidity as a routine practice in outpatient clinics. Data collected from this study will inform a subsequent scale-up study. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05756478. Registered on 06 March 2023.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Ying Tang
- Geriatric Education & Research Institute, 2 Yishun Central 2, Singapore, 768024, Singapore.
| | - Poh Hoon June Teng
- Geriatric Education & Research Institute, 2 Yishun Central 2, Singapore, 768024, Singapore
| | | | - Keng Teng Tan
- Pharmacy, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Wendy Ang
- Pharmacy, Changi General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Sabrina Lau
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Kay Khine Kyaw
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Xin Yong Tay
- Pharmacy, Changi General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | | | | | - Huimin Lin
- Pharmacy, Changi General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Yew Yoong Ding
- Geriatric Education & Research Institute, 2 Yishun Central 2, Singapore, 768024, Singapore
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Penny Lun
- Geriatric Education & Research Institute, 2 Yishun Central 2, Singapore, 768024, Singapore
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Chong Yap BK, Del Valle Espeleta W, Sinnatamby S, Li F, Liza BA, Ong SY, Png GK, Koh JMK, Koh LH, Goh KS. Challenges of Singapore’s First Acute Geriatric Isolation Facility During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Proceedings of Singapore Healthcare 2021. [PMCID: PMC9198668 DOI: 10.1177/20101058211047684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim The COVID-19 pandemic has seen hospitals isolating suspect cases. Geriatric populations are at a risk of severe COVID-19 disease and often present with concomitant geriatric syndromes requiring holistic interdisciplinary care. However, isolation of older people poses challenges to care delivery. This study shares the experience of Singapore’s first acute geriatric isolation facility geriatric PARI (Pneumonia-Acute Respiratory Infection) ward and describes the geriatric-related outcomes and pitfalls in care delivery. Methods This is a retrospective cross-sectional study performed in 7 negative pressure isolation rooms in an acute care public hospital in Singapore. 100 patients admitted consecutively to the geriatric PARI ward were included. Patient demographics, presenting symptoms and geriatric-related adverse outcomes associated with hospitalisation were collected and analysed. Results Patients’ mean age was 86.4 years (standard deviation [SD]: 6.8) with significant comorbidities being hypertension (81%), hyperlipidaemia (74%) and renal disease (70%). 51% of patients had dementia and 24% had behaviour and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD). 27% of patients presented atypically with delirium and 15% presented with a fall. Delirium was associated with restraint use (OR: 3.88; p-value 0.01). Falls rate was 1.64 per 1000 occupied bed. 1 patient screened positive for COVID-19. Conclusions The geriatric PARI ward is essential for curbing nosocomial transmission of COVID-19. This is important in the older people with comorbidities who are more likely to develop morbidity and mortality. Our study reveals challenges in delivering person-centred care to the older patients in isolation rooms, especially in the management of delirium and falls prevention. Innovative strategies should be developed to minimise isolation-related adverse outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Fuyin Li
- Department of Nursing, Changi General Hospital, Singapore
| | | | - Siew Yit Ong
- Department of Nursing, Changi General Hospital, Singapore
| | - Gek Kheng Png
- Department of Nursing, Changi General Hospital, Singapore
| | - Jansen Meng Kwang Koh
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Changi General Hospital, Singapore
| | - Lip Hoe Koh
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, Changi General Hospital, Singapore
| | - Kiat Sern Goh
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, Changi General Hospital, Singapore
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