Natali Jokanovic1,2, Edwin C K Tan3, Michael J Dooley3,4, Carl M Kirkpatrick3, Rohan A Elliott3,5, J Simon Bell3. 1. Centre for Medicine Use and Safety, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. natali.jokanovic@monash.edu. 2. Pharmacy Department, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. natali.jokanovic@monash.edu. 3. Centre for Medicine Use and Safety, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. 4. Pharmacy Department, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. 5. Department of Pharmacy, Austin Health, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia.
Abstract
RATIONALE, AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The prevalence of polypharmacy in residential aged care facilities (RACFs) is high and increasing. Although not necessarily inappropriate, polypharmacy has been associated with drug interactions, adverse drug events, geriatric syndromes and hospital admissions. The aim of this study was to identify and prioritize factors contributing to the increasing prevalence of polypharmacy in RACFs. METHODS: Seventeen health care professionals from metropolitan and regional Victoria and South Australia identified and prioritized factors using a modified nominal group technique. RESULTS: The top five factors ranked from most important to fifth most important were 'changes in resident mix', 'increasing numbers of prescribers and the reluctance of one prescriber to discontinue a medicine commenced by another prescriber', 'better adherence to clinical practice guidelines', 'increasing reliance on locums' and 'greater recognition and pharmacological management of pain'. CONCLUSIONS: Reasons for the increase in polypharmacy are multifactorial. Understanding the factors contributing to polypharmacy may help to guide future research and develop interventions to manage polypharmacy in RACFs.
RATIONALE, AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The prevalence of polypharmacy in residential aged care facilities (RACFs) is high and increasing. Although not necessarily inappropriate, polypharmacy has been associated with drug interactions, adverse drug events, geriatric syndromes and hospital admissions. The aim of this study was to identify and prioritize factors contributing to the increasing prevalence of polypharmacy in RACFs. METHODS: Seventeen health care professionals from metropolitan and regional Victoria and South Australia identified and prioritized factors using a modified nominal group technique. RESULTS: The top five factors ranked from most important to fifth most important were 'changes in resident mix', 'increasing numbers of prescribers and the reluctance of one prescriber to discontinue a medicine commenced by another prescriber', 'better adherence to clinical practice guidelines', 'increasing reliance on locums' and 'greater recognition and pharmacological management of pain'. CONCLUSIONS: Reasons for the increase in polypharmacy are multifactorial. Understanding the factors contributing to polypharmacy may help to guide future research and develop interventions to manage polypharmacy in RACFs.
Authors: Taliesin E Ryan-Atwood; Mieke Hutchinson-Kern; Jenni Ilomäki; Michael J Dooley; Susan G Poole; Carl M Kirkpatrick; Elizabeth Manias; Biswadev Mitra; J Simon Bell Journal: Drugs Aging Date: 2017-08 Impact factor: 3.923
Authors: Esa Yh Chen; Janet K Sluggett; Jenni Ilomäki; Sarah N Hilmer; Megan Corlis; Leonie J Picton; Laura Dean; Christopher P Alderman; Nicholas Farinola; Joy Gailer; Jane Grigson; Andrew R Kellie; Peter Jc Putsey; Solomon Yu; J Simon Bell Journal: Clin Interv Aging Date: 2018-05-18 Impact factor: 4.458
Authors: Esa Yh Chen; J Simon Bell; Jenni Ilomaki; Claire Keen; Megan Corlis; Michelle Hogan; Jan Van Emden; Sarah N Hilmer; Janet K Sluggett Journal: Clin Interv Aging Date: 2019-10-22 Impact factor: 4.458