Claire Patricia Heppenstall1, Joanna B Broad1, Michal Boyd2, Joanna Hikaka3, Xian Zhang1, Julia Kennedy4, Martin J Connolly1,5. 1. Freemasons' Department of Geriatric Medicine, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand. 2. School of Nursing, Freemasons' Department of Geriatric Medicine, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand. 3. Aged Residential Care, Inpatient Pharmacy, Waitemata District Health Board, Auckland, New Zealand. 4. School of Pharmacy, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand. 5. Department of Geriatric Medicine, Waitemata District Health Board, Auckland, New Zealand.
Abstract
AIM: To compare the prevalence in residential aged care (RAC) of preventative and potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) in those who died within 12 months versus those alive after 12 months. METHODS: Firstly, a cross-sectional survey of 6196 people living in RAC in Auckland. Secondly, a research physician searched electronic hospital records in one District Health Board for a sub-sample (n = 222) of these residents. Classes of medications and dates of death were obtained from the Ministry of Health databases. Those who died versus those alive at 12 months were compared. RESULTS: Over half of the 6196 participants received antihypertensives and/or antiplatelet agents. Cardiovascular preventative medications were significantly more common in those who died within 12 months. Seventy percent in high-level care received psychotropics. PIMs were commonly used. CONCLUSIONS: Use of preventative medications is common in RAC, especially during the last year of life. Psychotropics are very commonly used, despite being potentially inappropriate.
AIM: To compare the prevalence in residential aged care (RAC) of preventative and potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) in those who died within 12 months versus those alive after 12 months. METHODS: Firstly, a cross-sectional survey of 6196 people living in RAC in Auckland. Secondly, a research physician searched electronic hospital records in one District Health Board for a sub-sample (n = 222) of these residents. Classes of medications and dates of death were obtained from the Ministry of Health databases. Those who died versus those alive at 12 months were compared. RESULTS: Over half of the 6196 participants received antihypertensives and/or antiplatelet agents. Cardiovascular preventative medications were significantly more common in those who died within 12 months. Seventy percent in high-level care received psychotropics. PIMs were commonly used. CONCLUSIONS: Use of preventative medications is common in RAC, especially during the last year of life. Psychotropics are very commonly used, despite being potentially inappropriate.
Authors: Bregje A A Huisman; Eric C T Geijteman; Jimmy J Arevalo; Marianne K Dees; Lia van Zuylen; Karolina M Szadek; Agnes van der Heide; Monique A H Steegers Journal: BMC Palliat Care Date: 2021-07-16 Impact factor: 3.234