Medication in older patients reviewed multiple ways (MORE) study

N. A. Zwietering*, D. Westra, B. Winkens, H. Cremers, P. H. M. van der Kuy, K. P. Hurkens

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Background Polypharmacy in older patients can lead to potentially inappropriate prescribing. The risk of the latter calls for effective medication review to ensure proper medication usage and safety. Objective Provide insight on the similarities and differences of medication review done in multiple ways that may lead to future possibilities to optimize medication review. Setting This study was conducted in Zuyderland Medical Centre, the second largest teaching hospital in the Netherlands. Method This descriptive study compares the quantity and content of remarks identified by medication review performed by a geriatrician, outpatient pharmacist, and Clinical Decision Support System. The content of remarks is categorized in seven categories of possible pharmacotherapeutic problems: 'indication without medication', 'medication without indication', 'contra-indication/interaction/side-effect', 'dosage problem', 'double medication', 'incorrect medication' and 'therapeutic drug monitoring'. Main outcome measure Number and content of remarks on medication review. Results The Clinical Decision Support System (1.8 +/- 0.8 vs. 0.9 +/- 0.9, p <0.001) and outpatient pharmacist (1.8 +/- 0.8 vs. 0.9 +/- 0.9, p = 0.045) both noted remarks in significantly more categories than the geriatricians. The Clinical Decision Support System provided more remarks on 'double medication', 'dosage problem' and 'contraindication/interaction/side effects' than the geriatrician (p <0.050), while the geriatrician did on 'medication without indication' (p <0.001). The Clinical Decision Support System noted significantly more remarks on 'contraindication/interaction/side effects' and 'therapeutic drug monitoring' than the outpatient pharmacist, whereas the outpatient pharmacist reported more on 'indication without medication' and 'medication without indication' than the Clinical Decision Support System (p

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1262-1271
Number of pages10
JournalInternational Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
Volume41
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Oct 2019

Keywords

  • Clinical Decision Support System
  • Elderly
  • Medication review
  • Netherlands
  • Potentially inappropriate prescribing
  • PROTON PUMP INHIBITORS
  • EMERGENCY-DEPARTMENT
  • ELDERLY-PATIENTS
  • SCREENING TOOL
  • ALERT DOCTORS
  • EVENTS
  • ADULTS
  • PHARMACIST
  • ADHERENCE
  • CRITERIA

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