A retrospective evaluation of potentially inappropriate medication use in hospitalized elderly patients
Date
2007-04-27Author
Cartwright, Olivia M.
Moulin, J.
Hale, LaDonna S.
Metadata
Show full item recordCitation
Cartwright, O.M.,Moulin, J. & Hale, L.S. (2007). A retrospective evaluation of potentially inappropriate medication use in hospitalized elderly patients. In Proceedings : 3rd Annual Symposium : Graduate Research and Scholarly Projects. Wichita, KS : Wichita State University, p.41-42
Abstract
Background: An estimated 30% of hospitalizations in the
elderly may be drug-related. The Beers criteria are a list of
potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) generally
considered unsafe in the elderly. These criteria are useful for
assessing quality and safety of prescribing in the elderly
population. Purpose: Evaluate PIM use, as defined by the
Beers criteria, in elderly hospitalized patients. Methods: This
cross-sectional study evaluated hospitalized patients ≥ 65
years old, consecutively admitted to general medical floors,
starting 4/1/06 until 100 patients were enrolled. Each
patient’s home, discharge, and inpatient medication profiles
were screened for PIMs. Actual usage and duration of
therapy, source of prescription, potential justification for use,
and pharmacy interventions were also collected. Results:
Based on home medication lists, 32% of patients were taking
≥ 1 PIM prior to admission; rising to 56% during
hospitalization; and declining to 36% at discharge. Of the 93
active hospital PIM orders, 62% were new orders and 38%
were continued from home; 85% were categorized as “high”
risk; 8.6% were potentially justified; and pharmacists
intervened on three of the PIM orders. Conclusion: The
percentage of patients prescribed PIMs increased significantly
during hospitalization, but returned to baseline at dismissal.
Healthcare provider education regarding safe medication
prescribing in elderly hospitalized patients, formulary
changes, and alterations to preprinted orders may be needed.
Description
Paper presented to the 3rd Annual Symposium on Graduate Research and Scholarly Projects (GRASP) held at the Hughes Metropolitan Complex, Wichita State University, April 27, 2007.
Research completed at the Department of Physician Assistant, College of Health Professions