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.
Keywords: comprehensive geriatric assessment; elderly; medication review; pharmacists; polypharmacy.
© 2019 Japan Geriatrics Society.