[Monitoring polymedicated elderly patients in a health care unit]

Farm Hosp. 2010 Nov-Dec;34(6):265-70. doi: 10.1016/j.farma.2010.01.008.
[Article in Spanish]

Abstract

Objective: Implement a coordinated strategy for the family care unit and the pharmacy division in order to enable revising treatment in polymedicated patients. To this end, we have developed a software tool permitting the patient's primary doctor to have a quick, summarised description of the patient's updated pharmacological treatments, and detect iatrogenic risks and/or dosage adjustments and pharmacotherapy advice.

Methods: In this study, polymedicated patients are defined as those taking 10 or more medications during at least one month. Development phases: Design of a guide form to assist the family doctor in reviewing treatments. Development of a pharmacotherapy report (FTR) as a complementary document to assist the doctor in reviewing treatments. Implementation of a coordinated loop between the family doctor and the pharmacist. Review of work instructions and distribution to involved staff members.

Results: The target population of the study consists of 1897 polymedicated patients. We issued 1897 reports, containing the following: 8530 recommendations (10% alerts from regulatory authorities, 31% recommendations regarding high-risk drugs in elderly patients, 7% information on new treatments and 52% recommendations on proper drug use); 399 highly relevant drug interactions; and 5036 recommendations for dose adjustment. These pharmacotherapy reports permit treatment to be revised for nearly 100% of the selected population.

Conclusion: The development and implementation of software tools for monitoring polymedicated patients enables us to create FTRs that facilitate routine medical reviews of pharmacological treatment in a fairly wide range of patients.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Drug Monitoring*
  • Hospital Units
  • Humans
  • Polypharmacy*