Jessica Vink1, Detra Morton, Stefanie Ferreri. 1. University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Shadyside Family Medicine Residency Program, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To identify medication-related problems (MRPs) in home care patients. DESIGN: A prospective case series involving pharmacist medication review of patient charts. SETTING: A nonprofit agency serving the disabled and elderly of Rockingham County, North Carolina. PATIENTS, PARTICIPANTS: Patients living in their homes, who qualify for home health care and who take eight or more medications. INTERVENTIONS: Patients identified received at least one medication review performed by a pharmacist. Six types of MRPs were identified. Recommendations to resolve such MRPs were sent to the prescriber for analysis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Outcome measures include MRPs identified, recommendations, and prescriber acceptance. RESULTS: 380 charts received medication reviews from July 2007 through June 2009, and 148 (39%) required pharmacist intervention. A total of 232 MRPs were identified during the review process. Of the problems identified, suboptimal therapy (28%) and use of unnecessary drugs (24%) were most common. Discontinuing a drug (38.6%) and consulting the prescriber (23.2%) comprised the majority of the recommendations. CONCLUSIONS: Pharmacists successfully identified a large number of MRPs not previously identified by other health care providers. Unnecessary drug use in home care patients was among the highest MRP noted. Discontinuation of an unnecessary drug was the most recommended resolution to the MRP. Prescribers respond positively to suggestions made by pharmacists regarding MRPs.
OBJECTIVE: To identify medication-related problems (MRPs) in home care patients. DESIGN: A prospective case series involving pharmacist medication review of patient charts. SETTING: A nonprofit agency serving the disabled and elderly of Rockingham County, North Carolina. PATIENTS, PARTICIPANTS: Patients living in their homes, who qualify for home health care and who take eight or more medications. INTERVENTIONS:Patients identified received at least one medication review performed by a pharmacist. Six types of MRPs were identified. Recommendations to resolve such MRPs were sent to the prescriber for analysis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Outcome measures include MRPs identified, recommendations, and prescriber acceptance. RESULTS: 380 charts received medication reviews from July 2007 through June 2009, and 148 (39%) required pharmacist intervention. A total of 232 MRPs were identified during the review process. Of the problems identified, suboptimal therapy (28%) and use of unnecessary drugs (24%) were most common. Discontinuing a drug (38.6%) and consulting the prescriber (23.2%) comprised the majority of the recommendations. CONCLUSIONS: Pharmacists successfully identified a large number of MRPs not previously identified by other health care providers. Unnecessary drug use in home care patients was among the highest MRP noted. Discontinuation of an unnecessary drug was the most recommended resolution to the MRP. Prescribers respond positively to suggestions made by pharmacists regarding MRPs.
Authors: Midas B Mulder; Sander D Borgsteede; Sarwa Darwish Murad; Catelijne S Landman; Herold J Metselaar; Nicole G M Hunfeld Journal: Front Pharmacol Date: 2021-04-27 Impact factor: 5.810
Authors: Rohan A Elliott; Cik Yin Lee; Christine Beanland; Dianne P Goeman; Neil Petrie; Barbara Petrie; Felicity Vise; June Gray Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2017-11-03 Impact factor: 2.692