We found a match
Your institution may have access to this item. Find your institution then sign in to continue.
- Title
MedSafer to Support Deprescribing for Residents of Long-Term Care: a Mixed-Methods Study.
- Authors
Perri, Giulia-Anna; Bortolussi-Courval, Émilie; Brinton, Christopher D.; Berall, Anna; Santiago, Anna Theresa; Morcos, Mareiz; Lee, Todd C.; McDonald, Emily G.
- Abstract
Background Polypharmacy is prevalent in long-term care homes (LTCH) and increases the risk of adverse drug events. Feasible and effective deprescribing interventions applicable in the LTCH environment are needed. Methods We performed a mixed methods study to evaluate the feasibility, applicability, and effectiveness of an electronic deprescribing tool, MedSafer, to facilitate quarterly medication reviews (QMRs) on two pilot units in an academic long-term care home (LTCH). Chart reviews collected resident health data. The prevalence of deprescribing at a standard QMR was compared with a QMR conducted three months later with MedSafer. Feedback from physicians on their experience with MedSafer was obtained through semi-structured interviews. Results Physicians found MedSafer helpful in guiding deprescribing decisions and suggested software improvements to increase the feasibility in LTCH. The average number of medications deprescribed per resident was significantly higher at the Med-Safer QMR (mean reduction = 1.1 medications, SD = 1.3) compared to the standard QMR (mean reduction = 0.5, SD = 0.9) (absolute difference of 0.5; SD 1.1; p = .02). Conclusion MedSafer has the potential to increase deprescribing in LTCHs by flagging potentially inappropriate medications. Integration in the electronic medical record might increase uptake in LTCHs. Further research should investigate the generalizability of MedSafer in a larger population and in non-academic LTCHs.
- Subjects
PREVENTION of drug side effects; COMPUTER software; POLYPHARMACY; RESEARCH methodology; DEPRESCRIBING; ACQUISITION of data; INTERVIEWING; PHYSICIANS' attitudes; MEDICATION error prevention; MEDICAL records; PATIENT care
- Publication
Canadian Geriatrics Journal, 2022, Vol 25, Issue 2, p175
- ISSN
1925-8348
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.5770/cgj.25.545