OBJECTIVES: Seniors often take multiple medications because of a high burden of chronic diseases. This complex population is vulnerable to medication-related problems. Pharmacists can improve suboptimal prescribing in older adults, however the evidence base for this is weak. Our objective was to determine if pharmacist assessment is effective in reducing classes of high-risk medications in seniors at a geriatric clinic.,METHODS: We reviewed the medical charts of 245 patients aged 65 and over who were referred to our outpatient geriatric clinic and assessed using comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA). The CGA team consisted of a geriatrician, medical trainee (student, resident or fellow), pharmacist (available part-time), and nurse. Since the pharmacist was only in the clinic on certain days, we conducted a non-randomized comparison of medication use in those seen by a pharmacist versus those who were not. Number of medications was compared using t-test and exact McNemar's test was performed to assess medication changes.,RESULTS: The mean number of medications of patients assessed by pharmacist (n=99) vs not assessed by pharmacist (n=89) was 10.5 (SD 5.5) vs 9.4 (SD 4.7) with a mean difference of 1.07 (95% CI, -0.41 to 2.55), p=0.157. The proportions of patients taking acetylcholinesterase inhibitor in both pharmacist and non-pharmacist groups increased respectively, from 20% to 37%, p<0.001 and 14% to 28%, p=0.001. Other classes of medication with statistical significant changes were exclusively in the pharmacist group such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor from 20% to 27%, p=0.007; over-the-counter analgesic e.g. acetaminophen from 30% to 41%, p=0.002; non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug from 22% to 16%, p=0.013; and antihistamine or other anticholinergic (not for overactive bladder) from 7% to 2%, p=0.016.,CONCLUSIONS: Pharmacist assessment as part of an interprofessional geriatric clinic team led to an improvement in medication use.
OBJECTIVES: Seniors often take multiple medications because of a high burden of chronic diseases. This complex population is vulnerable to medication-related problems. Pharmacists can improve suboptimal prescribing in older adults, however the evidence base for this is weak. Our objective was to determine if pharmacist assessment is effective in reducing classes of high-risk medications in seniors at a geriatric clinic.,METHODS: We reviewed the medical charts of 245 patients aged 65 and over who were referred to our outpatient geriatric clinic and assessed using comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA). The CGA team consisted of a geriatrician, medical trainee (student, resident or fellow), pharmacist (available part-time), and nurse. Since the pharmacist was only in the clinic on certain days, we conducted a non-randomized comparison of medication use in those seen by a pharmacist versus those who were not. Number of medications was compared using t-test and exact McNemar's test was performed to assess medication changes.,RESULTS: The mean number of medications of patients assessed by pharmacist (n=99) vs not assessed by pharmacist (n=89) was 10.5 (SD 5.5) vs 9.4 (SD 4.7) with a mean difference of 1.07 (95% CI, -0.41 to 2.55), p=0.157. The proportions of patients taking acetylcholinesterase inhibitor in both pharmacist and non-pharmacist groups increased respectively, from 20% to 37%, p<0.001 and 14% to 28%, p=0.001. Other classes of medication with statistical significant changes were exclusively in the pharmacist group such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor from 20% to 27%, p=0.007; over-the-counter analgesic e.g. acetaminophen from 30% to 41%, p=0.002; non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug from 22% to 16%, p=0.013; and antihistamine or other anticholinergic (not for overactive bladder) from 7% to 2%, p=0.016.,CONCLUSIONS: Pharmacist assessment as part of an interprofessional geriatric clinic team led to an improvement in medication use.
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