Appropriateness of medication selection for older persons in an urban academic emergency department

Risk of Mortality Associated with Potentially Inappropriate Medication Use Including Opioids in Older Adults

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE

As the population ages, understanding the potential risks associated with inappropriate medication use becomes increasingly important. Given the lack of studies in this area, our objective was to study the risk of mortality associated with potentially inappropriate medication use involving opioids in community-dwelling older adults.

METHODS

Data came from a longitudinal study on older adults aged ≥ 65 years recruited in primary care clinics between 2011 and 2013 with an average follow-up of 4.25 years. Older adults were excluded if they used an opioid or had a malignant tumor diagnosis in the year before the study survey. A nested case-control within a cohort of older adults with at least one opioid claim during follow-up was used to evaluate the risk of all-cause mortality. Four controls per case were matched on follow-up time using risk-set sampling, i.e., while still at risk of death when their matched case died. The risk of mortality was estimated using conditional logistic regression analyses. Exposure to potentially inappropriate medication use involving opioids, defined using the Beers 2019 criteria, was assessed from provincial drug claims data in the 0-90 days before death.

RESULTS

In a cohort of 472 community-dwelling older adults with an incident episode of opioid use, there were 40 cases matched to 160 controls. Exposure to inappropriate medication use involving opioids in the 90 days before death was associated with an increased risk of mortality (odds ratio 6.81, 95% confidence interval 1.69-27.47), after adjusting for potential confounders.

CONCLUSIONS

Exposure to inappropriate medication use involving opioids in the 90 days before death is associated with an increased risk of mortality in older adults. These findings can be used to encourage safer pain management strategies in older adults.

Scaling the EQUIPPED medication safety program: Traditional and hub-and-spoke implementation models

BACKGROUND

The EQUIPPED (Enhancing Quality of Prescribing Practices for Older Adults Discharged from the Emergency Department) medication safety program is an evidence-informed quality improvement initiative to reduce potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) prescribed by Emergency Department (ED) providers to adults aged 65 and older at discharge. We aimed to scale-up this successful program using (1) a traditional implementation model at an ED with a novel electronic medical record and (2) a new hub-and-spoke implementation model at three new EDs within a health system that had previously implemented EQUIPPED (hub). We hypothesized that implementation speed would increase under the hub-and-spoke model without cost to PIM reduction or site engagement.

METHODS

We evaluated the effect of the EQUIPPED program on PIMs for each ED, comparing their 12-month baseline to 12-month post-implementation period prescribing data, number of months to implement EQUIPPED, and facilitators and barriers to implementation.

RESULTS

The proportion of PIMs at all four sites declined significantly from pre- to post-EQUIPPED: at traditional site 1 from 8.9% (8.1-9.6) to 3.6% (3.6-9.6) (p < 0.001); at spread site 1 from 12.2% (11.2-13.2) to 7.1% (6.1-8.1) (p < 0.001); at spread site 2 from 11.3% (10.1-12.6) to 7.9% (6.4-8.8) (p = 0.045); and at spread site 3 from 16.2% (14.9-17.4) to 11.7% (10.3-13.0) (p < 0.001). Time to implement was equivalent at all sites across both models. Interview data, reflecting a wide scope of responsibilities for the champion at the traditional site and a narrow scope at the spoke sites, indicated disproportionate barriers to engagement at the spoke sites.

CONCLUSIONS

EQUIPPED was successfully implemented under both implementation models at four new sites during the COVID-19 pandemic, indicating the feasibility of adapting EQUIPPED to complex, real-world conditions. The hub-and-spoke model offers an effective way to scale-up EQUIPPED though a speed or quality advantage could not be shown.

Association of Drug-Disease Interactions with Mortality or Readmission in Hospitalised Middle-Aged and Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Multimorbidity is common in hospitalised adults who are at increased risk of inappropriate prescribing including drug-disease interactions. These interactions occur when a medicine being used to treat one condition exacerbates a concurrent medical condition and may lead to adverse health outcomes. The aim of this review was to examine the association between drug-disease interactions and the risk of mortality and readmission in hospitalised middle-aged and older adults.

METHODS

A systematic review was conducted on drug-disease interactions in hospitalised middle-aged (45-64 years) and older adults (≥65 years). The study protocol was prospectively registered with PROSPERO (Registration Number: CRD42022341998). Drug-disease interactions were defined as a medicine being used to treat one condition with the potential to exacerbate a concurrent medical condition or that were inappropriate based on a comorbid medical condition. Both observational and interventional studies were included. The outcomes of interest were mortality and readmissions. The databases searched included MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, Web of Science, SCOPUS and the Cochrane Library from inception to 12 July, 2022. A meta-analysis was performed to pool risk estimates using the random-effects model.

RESULTS

A total of 563 studies were identified and four met the inclusion criteria. All were observational studies in older adults, with no studies identified in middle-aged adults. Most of the studies were at risk of bias because of an inadequate adjustment for covariates and a lack of clarity around individuals lost to follow-up. There were various definitions of drug-disease interactions within these four studies. Two studies assessed drugs that were contraindicated based on renal function, one assessed an individual drug-disease combination, and one was based on the clinical judgement of a pharmacist. There were two studies that showed an association between drug-disease interactions and the outcomes of interest. One reported that the use of diltiazem in patients with heart failure was associated with an increased risk of readmissions. The second reported that the use of medicines contraindicated according to renal function were associated with increased risk of all-cause mortality and a composite of mortality and readmission. Three of the studies (total study population = 5705) were amenable to a meta-analysis, which showed no significant association between drug-disease interactions and readmissions (odds ratio = 1.0, 95% confidence interval 0.80-1.38).

CONCLUSIONS

Few studies were identified examining the risk of drug-disease interactions and mortality and readmission in hospitalised adults. Most of the identified studies were at risk of bias. There is no universal accepted definition of drug-disease interactions in the literature. Further studies are needed to develop a standardised and accepted definition of these interactions to guide further research in this area.

Patient-reported outcome measure use among older adults after emergency department care: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are gaining favor in clinical and research settings given their ability to capture a patient's symptom burden, functional status, and quality of life. Our objective in this systematic review was to summarize studies including PROMs assessed among older adults (age ≥ 65 years) after seeking emergency care.

METHODS

With the assistance of a medical librarian, we searched Ovid MEDLINE, PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Web of Science-Core Collection, and Cochrane CENTRAL from inception through June 2023 for studies in which older adult ED patients had PROMs assessed in the post-emergency care time period. Independent reviewers performed title/abstract review, full-text screening, data extraction, study characteristic summarization, and risk-of-bias (RoB) assessments.

RESULTS

Our search strategy yielded 5153 studies of which 56 met study inclusion criteria. Within included studies, 304 unique PROM assessments were performed at varying time points after the ED visit, including 61 unique PROMs. The most commonly measured domain was physical function, assessed within the majority of studies (47/56; 84%), with measures including PROMs such as Katz activities of daily living (ADLs), instrumental ADLs, and the Barthel Index. PROMs were most frequently assessed at 1-3 months after an ED visit (113/304; 37%), greater than 6 months (91/304; 30%), and 4-6 months (88/304; 29%), with very few PROMs assessed within 1 month of the ED visit (12/304; 4%). Of the 16 interventional studies, two were determined to have a low RoB, four had moderate RoB, nine had high RoB, and one had insufficient information. Of the 40 observational studies, 10 were determined to be of good quality, 20 of moderate quality, and 10 of poor quality.

CONCLUSIONS

PROM assessments among older adults following an ED visit frequently measured physical function, with very few assessments occurring within the first 1 month after an ED visit.

Potentially inappropriate medication use is associated with increased risk of incident disability in healthy older adults

BACKGROUND

Efforts to minimize medication risks among older adults include avoidance of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs). However, most PIMs research has focused on older people in aged or inpatient care, creating an evidence gap for community-dwelling older adults. To address this gap, we investigated the impact of PIMs use in the ASPirin in Reducing Events in the Elderly (ASPREE) clinical trial cohort.

METHODS

Analysis included 19,114 community-dwelling ASPREE participants aged 70+ years (65+ if US minorities) without major cardiovascular disease, cognitive impairment, or significant physical disability. PIMs were defined according to a modified 2019 AGS Beers Criteria. Cox proportional-hazards regression models were used to estimate the association between baseline PIMs exposure and disability-free survival, death, incident dementia, disability, and hospitalization, with adjustment for sex, age, country, years of education, frailty, average gait speed, and comorbidities.

RESULTS

At baseline, 7396 (39% of the total) participants were prescribed at least one PIM. Compared with those unexposed, participants on a PIM at baseline were at an increased risk of persistent physical disability (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 1.47, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.21, 1.80) and hospitalization (adjusted HR 1.26, 95% CI 1.20, 1.32), but had similar rates of disability-free survival (adjusted HR 1.02; 95% CI 0.93, 1.13) and death (adjusted HR 0.92, 95% CI 0.81, 1.05). These effects did not vary by polypharmacy status in interaction analyses. PIMs exposure was associated with higher risk of disability followed by hospitalization (adjusted HR 1.92, 95% CI 1.25, 2.96) as well as vice versa (adjusted HR 1.54, 95% CI 1.15, 2.05). PPIs, anti-psychotics and benzodiazepines, were associated with increased risk of disability.

CONCLUSIONS

PIMs exposure is associated with subsequent increased risk of both incident disability and hospitalization. Increased risk of disability prior to hospitalization suggests that PIMs use may start the disability cascade in healthy older adults. Our findings emphasize the importance of caution when prescribing PIMs to older adults in otherwise good health.

Use of the consolidated framework for implementation research in a mixed methods evaluation of the EQUIPPED medication safety program in four academic health system emergency departments

Background

Enhancing Quality of Prescribing Practices for Older Adults Discharged from the Emergency Department (EQUIPPED) is an effective quality improvement program initially designed in the Veterans Administration (VA) health care system to reduce potentially inappropriate medication prescribing for adults aged 65 years and older. This study examined factors that influence implementation of EQUIPPED in EDs from four distinct, non-VA academic health systems using a convergent mixed methods design that operationalized the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR). Fidelity of delivery served as the primary implementation outcome.

Materials and methods

Four EDs implemented EQUIPPED sequentially from 2017 to 2021. Using program records, we scored each ED on a 12-point fidelity index calculated by adding the scores (1-3) for each of four components of the EQUIPPED program: provider receipt of didactic education, one-on-one academic detailing, monthly provider feedback reports, and use of order sets. We comparatively analyzed qualitative data from focus groups with each of the four implementation teams (n = 22) and data from CFIR-based surveys of ED providers (108/234, response rate of 46.2%) to identify CFIR constructs that distinguished EDs with higher vs. lower levels of implementation.

Results

Overall, three sites demonstrated higher levels of implementation (scoring 8-9 of 12) and one ED exhibited a lower level (scoring 5 of 12). Two constructs distinguished between levels of implementation as measured through both quantitative and qualitative approaches: patient needs and resources, and organizational culture. Implementation climate distinguished level of implementation in the qualitative analysis only. Networks and communication, and leadership engagement distinguished level of implementation in the quantitative analysis only.

Discussion

Using CFIR, we demonstrate how a range of factors influence a critical implementation outcome and build an evidence-based approach on how to prime an organizational setting, such as an academic health system ED, for successful implementation.

Conclusion

This study provides insights into implementation of evidence-informed programs targeting medication safety in ED settings and serves as a potential model for how to integrate theory-based qualitative and quantitative methods in implementation studies.

A mixed‐methods needs assessment to identify pharmacology education objectives for emergency medicine residents

Objectives

Medication errors represent a significant threat to patient safety. Pharmacotherapy is one of the 23 Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education milestones for emergency medicine, yet there is minimal understanding of what content should be prioritized during training. The study aim was to develop objectives for a patient‐safety focused pharmacology curriculum for emergency medicine residents.

Methods

We incorporated data from a de‐identified safety event database and survey responses of 30 faculty and clinical pharmacists at a single‐site suburban university hospital with 24‐hour emergency medicine pharmacists and an annual volume of approximately 70,000. We reviewed the database to quantify types and severity of medication errors over a 5‐year period for a total of 370 errors. Anonymous surveys included categorical items that we analyzed with descriptive statistics and short answer questions that underwent thematic analysis by 2 coders. We summarized all data sources to identify curriculum gaps.

Results

Common medication errors reported in our database were wrong dose (43%) and computer order entry errors (14%). Knowledge gaps were medication cost (63%), pregnancy risk information (60%), antibiotic stewardship (53%), interactions (47%), and side effects (47%). Qualitative analysis revealed the need to optimize computer order entry, understand the scope of critical medications, use references, and consult pharmacists. Integration of data suggested specific medications should be covered in curricular efforts, including antibiotics, analgesics, sedatives, and insulin.

Conclusion

We developed objectives of pharmacology topics to prioritize during emergency medicine training to enhance prescribing safety. This study is limited due to its small sample and single institution source of data. Future studies should investigate the impact of pharmacology curriculum on minimizing clinical errors.

Impact of Pharmacist-Led Antimicrobial Stewardship on Appropriate Antibiotic Prescribing in the Emergency Department: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

STUDY OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of pharmacist presence or pharmacist-led antimicrobial stewardship interventions on appropriate prescribing of antibiotics in the emergency department (ED).

METHODS

Systematic review and meta-analysis following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines were conducted. Studies describing the role of pharmacists and their association with antimicrobial stewardship in the ED were included. The comparator for pharmacist intervention was hours without a pharmacist present, preprotocol implementation, and nonpharmacist culture follow-up.

RESULTS

In total, 24 studies (9,984 patients) were included in the qualitative synthesis, and 22 studies (5,791 patients) had data for the primary outcome and were included for the quantitative assessment (meta-analysis). Appropriate prescribing of antibiotics was more likely with pharmacist intervention (22 studies; odds ratio [OR], 3.47; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.39 to 5.03), particularly among patients with pneumonia (5 studies; OR, 3.74; 95% CI 2.14 to 6.54) or urinary tract infection (4 studies; OR, 1.76; 95% CI 1.24 to 2.50). Time to culture review was similar with or without pharmacist intervention. Time to appropriate antibiotic was shorter with pharmacist intervention (mean difference, 18.9 hours; 95% CI 11.9 to 25.9; P<.001). Repeat ED visit for the same complaint was not significant (10 studies; OR, 0.65; 95% CI 0.39 to 1.10).

CONCLUSION

Pharmacist presence and pharmacist-led antimicrobial stewardship interventions appear to be effective for the appropriate prescribing of antibiotics in adult patients presenting to EDs with a variety of infectious syndromes.

Polypharmacy and Potentially Inappropriate Medication Use in Older Blacks with Diabetes Mellitus Presenting to the Emergency Department

Background: Medication-related problems in older Blacks with diabetes mellitus (DM) are not well established. Objectives: To describe the frequency of medication-related problems in older Blacks with DM presenting to the emergency department (ED). Methods: The study was a cross-sectional analysis of baseline data from a randomized controlled trial evaluating Blacks aged ≥60 years of age presenting to the ED. Polypharmacy, potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) use, and anticholinergic score were evaluated. Results: Of 168 patients (median age = 68, range 60-92), most (n = 164, 98%) were taking ≥5 medications, and 67 (39.9%) were taking a PIM. A majority (n = 124, 74%) were taking a medication with an anticholinergic score ≥1. Number of medications was correlated with number of PIMs (r = .22, p = .004) and anticholinergic score (r = .50, p < .001). Conclusion: Polypharmacy and PIM use was common in older Blacks with DM.

Inappropriate medications and physical function: a systematic review

Background and aims:

Inappropriate medication prescription is highly prevalent in older adults and is associated with adverse health outcomes. The aim of this study was to examine the associations between potentially inappropriate medications (PIMS) and potential prescribing omissions with physical function in older adults situated in diverse environments.

Methods:

A systematic search was completed using the following databases: MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, EMBASE and COCHRANE. Results were extracted from the included studies.

Results:

In total, 55 studies reported on 2,767,594 participants with a mean age of 77.1 years (63.5% women). Study designs comprised 26 retrospective cohort studies, 21 prospective cohort studies and 8 cross-sectional studies. Inappropriate medications in community and hospital settings were significantly associated with higher risk of falls (21 out of 30 studies), higher risk of fractures (7 out of 9 studies), impaired activities of daily living (ADL; 8 out of 10 studies) and impaired instrumental ADL (IADL) score (4 out of 6 studies). Five out of seven studies also showed that PIMs were associated with poorer physical performance comprising the Timed Up and Go test, walking speed, grip strength, time to functional recovery, functional independence and scale of functioning. Many medication classes were implicated as PIMs in falls, fractures and impairment in physical performance including antipsychotic, sedative, anti-anxiety, anticholinergic, antidiabetic, opioid and antihypertensive medications. For patients not receiving musculoskeletal medications, such as calcium, vitamin D and bisphosphonates, older adults were found to be at risk of a hospital admission for a fall or fracture.

Conclusion:

Inappropriate medication prescriptions are associated with impaired physical function across longitudinal and cross-sectional studies in older adults situated in diverse settings. It is important to support older people to reduce their use of inappropriate medications and prevent prescribing omissions.

Plain language summary

Inappropriate medications and physical function

Background and aims: The use of inappropriate medications is very common in older adults and is associated with harmful health problems. The aim was to examine associations between potentially inappropriate medications and potential prescribing omissions with physical function in older adults situated in diverse environments. Methods: Library databases were examined for possible studies to include and a systematic search was completed. Relevant information was obtained from the included studies. Results: In total, 55 studies reported on 2,767,594 participants who were an average age of 77.1 years and about 6 out of 10 were women. A variety of different study designs were used. Inappropriate medication prescriptions in community and hospital settings were significantly associated with higher risk of falls (21 out of 30 studies), higher risk of fractures (7 out of 9 studies), problems with activities of daily living (ADL), such as eating, bathing, dressing, grooming, walking and toileting (8 out of 10 studies) and problems with instrumental ADL such as managing medications, house cleaning and shopping (4 out of 6 studies). Five out of seven studies also showed that inappropriate medications were associated with poorer physical performance involving the Timed Up and Go test, walking speed, grip strength, time to functional recovery, functional independence and scale of functioning. Many types of medication classes were shown to be associated with a risk of falls, fractures and problems with physical performance. Omitted medications were also associated with falls and fractures. Conclusion: Inappropriate medication prescriptions are associated with problems relating to physical function. It is important to support older people to reduce their use of inappropriate medications and prevent prescribing omissions.

Impact of a Pharmacist Intervention in the Emergency Department on the Appropriateness of Direct Oral Anticoagulants Prescribed in Venous Thromboembolism Patients

BACKGROUND

It is now widely accepted to manage low risk acute venous thromboembolism (VTE) in the outpatient setting with direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs). Although DOACs are straightforward to dose, they are high risk medications and not immune to medication errors. There is limited evidence that pharmacists' intervention has an impact on DOAC discharge medication errors in the ED.

OBJECTIVE

To determine if pharmacist involvement reduced the rate of DOAC discharge medication errors in low risk VTE patients.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study evaluated a clinical pharmacy service implemented prior to the study. Included patients were evaluated in 2 groups: the cohort with pharmacist involvement and the cohort without pharmacist involvement. The primary outcome was the rate of anticoagulation medication errors.

RESULTS

A total of 58 patients were evaluated. Of these patients, 14 had a pharmacist directly involved with their care in the ED while 44 patients did not. The rate of medication errors was lower when a pharmacist was involved, 7.1% (n = 1), compared to when a pharmacist was not involved, 36.4% (n = 16), (p = 0.046). All patients in the pharmacist involvement group received anticoagulation counseling prior to discharge compared to only 56.8% of patients in the non-pharmacist involvement group (p = 0.002).

CONCLUSION

Our protocol for pharmacist involvement at the time of VTE diagnosis during an ED admission showed a reduced rate of anticoagulation medication errors when a pharmacist was involved. This benefit could potentially translate into improved outcomes such as readmission rates, patient safety outcomes, and hospitalizations.

Sequential implementation of the EQUIPPED geriatric medication safety program as a learning health system

OBJECTIVES

To present the three-site EQUIPPED academic health system research collaborative, which engaged in sequential implementation of the EQUIPPED medication safety program, as a learning health system; to understand how the organizations worked together to build resources for program scale-up.

DESIGN

Following the Replicating Effective Programs framework, we analyzed content from implementation teams' focus groups, local and cross-site meeting minutes and sites' organizational profiles to develop an implementation package.

SETTING

Three academic emergency departments that each implemented EQUIPPED over three successive years.

PARTICIPANTS

Implementation team members at each site participating in focus groups (n = 18), local meetings during implementation years, and cross-site meetings during all years of the projects.

INTERVENTION(S)

EQUIPPED provides Emergency Department providers with clinical decision support (education, order sets, and feedback) to reduce prescribing of potentially inappropriate medications to adults aged 65 years and older who received a prescription at time of discharge.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

Implementation process components assembled through successive implementation.

RESULTS

Each site had clinical and environmental characteristics to be addressed in implementing the EQUIPPED program. We identified 10 process elements and describe lessons for each. Lessons guided the compilation of the EQUIPPED intervention package or toolkit, including the EQUIPPED logic model.

CONCLUSIONS

Our academic health system research collaborative addressing medication safety through sequential implementation is a learning health system that can serve as a model for other quality improvement projects with multiple sites. The network produced an implementation package that can be vetted, piloted, evaluated, and finalized for large-scale dissemination in community-based settings.

Quality of gout care in the emergency departments: a multicentre study

BACKGROUND

To report on prevalence of gout flare in emergency departments and to report the quality of gout care in emergency departments and causes of admission at emergency departments.

METHODS

A retrospective chart review of visits that had a primary diagnosis in gout by the International Classification of Diseases, the tenth revision, at emergency departments from 6 universities in Thailand over a 5 year period from 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2016.

RESULTS

Six hundred thirty-two visits were included to the study. Prevalence of gout flare in emergency departments was 0.04. Only 29.3% of the visits had arthrocentesis. 628/632 (99.4%) and 519/585 (88.7%) of the visits were prescribed medications in emergency departments and had home medications, respectively. Although all visits that were prescribed colchicine in emergency departments received adequate doses of colchicine, it was also found that more than 2.4 mg/day of colchicine was prescribed (3/394, 0.8%) for home medications. In addition, 183/343 (53.4%) of the visits with normal renal function were prescribed non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). However, prescribed NSAIDs in abnormal renal function (42/343, 12.2%) was also found. The interruption of dosing, including increase, decrease, addition or discontinuance of urate lowing therapy in a gout flare period was 42/632 (6.6%). The most common cause of admission was acute gouty arthritis (31/47, 66.0%).

CONCLUSIONS

Quality of gout care in the emergency departments was not good. Inappropriate management of gout flare in emergency departments was demonstrated in our study, particularly with regard to investigations and pharmacological management. Gaps between clinicians and guidelines, the knowledge of clinicians, and overcrowding in emergency departments were hypothesized in the results.

A Baker's Dozen of Top Antimicrobial Stewardship Intervention Publications in 2018

With an increasing number of antimicrobial stewardship-related articles published each year, attempting to stay current is challenging. The Southeastern Research Group Endeavor (SERGE-45) identified antimicrobial stewardship-related peer-reviewed literature that detailed an actionable intervention for 2018. The top 13 publications were selected using a modified Delphi technique. These manuscripts were reviewed to highlight the actionable intervention used by antimicrobial stewardship programs to provide key stewardship literature for teaching and training as well as to identify potential intervention opportunities within one's institution.

Associations Between Potentially Inappropriate Medications and Adverse Health Outcomes in the Elderly: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Background: Adverse drug outcomes in the elderly have led to the development of lists of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs), such as the Beers criteria, and these PIMs have been studied widely; however, it is still unclear whether PIM use is predictive of adverse outcomes in older people. Objective: To qualitatively examine the associations between exposure to PIMs from the general Beers criteria and the Screening Tool of Older Persons' Prescriptions list and adverse outcomes, such as adverse drug reactions (ADRs)/adverse drug events (ADEs), hospitalization, and mortality. Methods: Specified databases were searched from inception to February 1, 2018. Two reviewers independently selected studies that met the inclusion criteria, assessed study quality, and extracted data. Data were pooled using Stata 12.0. The outcomes were ADRs/ADEs, hospitalization, and mortality. Results: A total of 33 studies met the inclusion criteria. The combined analysis revealed a statistically significant association between ADRs/hospitalizations and PIMs (odds ratio [OR] = 1.44, 95% CI = 1.33-1.56; OR = 1.27, 95% CI = 1.20-1.35), but no statistically significant association was found between mortality and PIMs (OR = 1.04; 95% CI = 0.75-1.45). It is interesting to note that the results changed when different continents/criteria were used for the analysis. Compared with the elderly individuals exposed to 1 PIM, the risk of adverse health outcomes was much higher for those who took ≥2 PIMs. Conclusion and Relevance: We recommend that clinicians avoid prescribing PIMs for older adults whenever feasible. In addition, the observed associations should be generalized to other countries with different PIM criteria with caution.

An Interdisciplinary Academic Detailing Approach to Decrease Inappropriate Medication Prescribing by Physician Residents for Older Veterans Treated in the Emergency Department

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the impact of an academic detailing intervention delivered as part of a quality improvement project by a physician-pharmacist pair on (1) self-reported confidence in prescribing for older adults and (2) rates of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) prescribed to older adults by physician residents in a Veteran Affairs emergency department (ED).

METHODS

This quality improvement project at a single site utilized a questionnaire that assessed knowledge of Beers Criteria, self-perceived barriers to appropriate prescribing in older adults, and self-rated confidence in ability to prescribe in older adults which was administered to physician residents before and after academic detailing delivered during their emergency medicine rotation. PIM rates in the resident cohort who received the academic detailing were compared to residents who did not receive the intervention.

RESULTS

Sixty-three residents received the intervention between February 2013 and December 2014. At baseline, approximately 50% of the residents surveyed reported never hearing about nor using the Beers Criteria. A significantly greater proportion of residents agreed or strongly agreed in their abilities to identify drug-disease interactions and to prescribe the appropriate medication for the older adult after receiving the intervention. The resident cohort who received the educational intervention was less likely to prescribe a PIM when compared to the untrained resident cohort with a rate ratio of 0.73 ( P < .0001).

CONCLUSION

Academic detailing led by a physician-pharmacist pair resulted in improved confidence in physician residents' ability to prescribe safely in an older adult ED population and was associated with a statistically significant decrease in PIM rates.

Medication reconciliation and review for older emergency patients requires improvement in Finland

BACKGROUND:

10–30% of hospital stays by older patients are drug-related. The admission phase is important for identifying drug-related problems, but taking an incorrect medication history often leads to medication errors.

OBJECTIVES:

To enhance medication history recording and identify drug-related problems (DRPs) of older patients admitted to emergency departments (EDs).

METHODS:

DRPs were identified by pharmacists-led medication reconciliation and review procedures in two EDs in Finland; Helsinki University Hospital (HUS), and Kuopio University Hospital (KUH). One-hundred-and-fifty patients aged ≥65-years, living at home and using ≥6 medicines were studied.

RESULTS:

100% of patients (N = 75) in HUS and 99% in KUH (N = 75), had discrepancies in their admission-medication chart recorded by the nurse or physician. Associations between admission-diagnosis and drug-related problems were found in 12 patients (16%) in HUS and 22 patients (29%) in KUH. Of these, high-alert medications (e.g. antithrombotics, cytostatics, opioids) were linked to eight patients (11%) in HUS and six patients (8%) in KUH. Other acute DRPs were identified in 19 patients (25%) in HUS and 54 patients (72%) in KUH. Furthermore, 67 patients (89%) in HUS and all patients in KUH had non-acute DRPs.

CONCLUSIONS:

Medication reconciliation and review at admission of older ED patients requires improvement in Finland.

The impact of potentially inappropriate medication on the development of health care costs and its moderation by the number of prescribed substances. Results of a retrospective matched cohort study

Background

In the growing population of the elderly, drug-related problems are considered an important health care safety issue. One aspect of this is the prescription of potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) which is considered to increase health care costs.

Objective

Using data from the Health Economics of Potentially Inappropriate Medication (HEPIME) study, we aimed to analyze how the number of prescribed substances moderates the association of PIM use as defined by the German PRISCUS list and health care costs applying a longitudinal perspective.

Methods

An initial number of 6,849,622 insurants aged 65+ of a large German health insurance company were included in a retrospective matched cohort study. Based on longitudinal claims data from the four separate quarters of a 12-month pre-period, 3,860,842 individuals with no exposure to PIM in 2011 were matched to 508,212 exposed individuals. Exposure effects of PIM use on health care costs and the number of prescribed substances were measured based on longitudinal claims data from the four separate quarters of the 12-month post-period.

Results

After successful balancing for the development of numerous matching variables during the four quarters of the pre-period, exposed individuals consumed 2.1 additional prescribed substances and had higher total health care costs of 1,237 € when compared to non-exposed individuals in the 1st quarter of the post-period. Controlling for the number of prescribed substances, the difference in total health care costs between both study groups was 401 €. The average effect of one additionally prescribed substance (other than PIM) on total health care costs was increased by an amount of 137 € for those being exposed to a PIM. In quarters 2–4 of the post-period, the differences between both study groups tended to decrease sequentially.

Conclusions

PIM use has an increasing effect on the development of health care costs. This cost-increasing effect of PIM use is moderated by the number of prescribed substances.

Impact of an emergency medicine pharmacist on empiric antibiotic prescribing for pneumonia and intra-abdominal infections

PURPOSE

It is critical to engage ED providers in antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASP). Emergency medicine pharmacists (EMPs) play an important role in ASP by working with providers to choose empiric antimicrobials. This study aimed to determine the impact of an EMP on appropriate empiric antibiotic prescribing for community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) and intra-abdominal infections (CA-IAI).

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study was conducted evaluating adult patients admitted with CAP or CA-IAI. The primary outcome of this study was to compare guideline-concordant empiric antibiotic prescribing when an EMP was present vs. absent. We also aimed to compare the impact of an EMP in an early-ASP vs. established-ASP.

RESULTS

320 patients were included in the study (EMP n = 185, no-EMP n = 135). Overall empiric antibiotic prescribing was more likely to be guideline-concordant when an EMP was present (78% vs. 61%, p = 0.001); this was true for both the CAP (95% vs. 79%, p = 0.005) and CA-IAI subgroups (62% vs. 44%, p = 0.025). Total guideline-concordant prescribing significantly increased between the early-ASP and established-ASP (60% vs. 82.5%, p < 0.001) and was more likely when an EMP was present (early-ASP: 68.3% vs. 45.8%, p = 0.005; established-ASP: 90.5% vs. 73.7%, p = 0.005). Patients receiving guideline-concordant antibiotics in the ED continued appropriate therapy upon admission 82.5% of the time vs. 18.8% if the ED antibiotic was inappropriate (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The presence of an EMP significantly improved guideline-concordant empiric antibiotic prescribing for CAP and CA-IAI in both an early and established ASP. Inpatient orders were more likely to be guideline-concordant if appropriate therapy was ordered in the ED.

Older adults and high-risk medication administration in the emergency department

BACKGROUND

Older adults are susceptible to adverse effects from opioids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and benzodiazepines (BZDs). We investigated factors associated with the administration of elevated doses of these medications of interest to older adults (≥65 years old) in the emergency department (ED).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

ED records were queried for the administration of medications of interest to older adults at two academic medical center EDs over a 6-month period. Frequency of recommended versus elevated ("High doses" were defined as doses that ranged between 1.5 and 3 times higher than the recommended starting doses; "very high doses" were defined as higher than high doses) starting doses of medications, as determined by geriatric pharmacy/medicine guidelines and expert consensus, was compared by age groups (65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80-84, and ≥85 years), gender, and hospital.

RESULTS

There were 17896 visits representing 11374 unique patients >65 years of age (55.3% men, 44.7% women). A total of 3394 doses of medications of interest including 1678 high doses and 684 very high doses were administered to 1364 different patients. Administration of elevated doses of medications was more common than that of recommended doses. Focusing on opioids and BZDs, the 65-69-year age group was much more likely to receive very high doses (1481 and 412 doses, respectively) than the ≥85-year age groups (relative risk [RR] 5.52, 95% CI 2.56-11.90), mainly reflecting elevated opioid dosing (RR 8.28, 95% CI 3.69-18.57). Men were more likely than women to receive very high doses (RR 1.47, 95% CI 1.26-1.72), primarily due to BZDs (RR 2.12, 95% CI 2.07-2.16).

CONCLUSION

Administration of elevated doses of opioids and BZDs in the older population occurs frequently in the ED, especially to the 65-69-year age group and men. Further attention to potentially unsafe dosing of high-risk medications to older adults in the ED is warranted.

[Impact of medium-term outcomes of inappropriate prescribing in older patients discharged from a short stay unit]

Objetivo

Estudiar la asociación entre prescripciones potencialmente inapropiadas (PPI) y eventos adversos a los 30 y 180 días tras el alta de una unidad de corta estancia (UCE).

Material y método

Estudio analítico observacional de cohortes retrospectivo que incluyó pacientes ≥ 75 años al alta de una UCE. Se utilizó la versión 2 de los criterios STOPP-START. La variable resultado fue la presencia de algún evento adverso a 30 y 180 días.

Resultados

Se incluyeron 179 pacientes con una media de 84 (DE: 5) años. La presencia de ≥ 1PPI al alta no se asoció con la aparición de algún evento adverso a los 30 ni a los 180 días de manera global. La presencia de ≥ 1PPI al alta de fármacos del proceso cardiovascular tuvo mayor riesgo de presentar algún evento adverso a los 30 días del alta (OR ajustada 2,1; IC 95%: 1,0-3,2; p = 0,045), los fármacos del proceso «neuropsiquiátrico y riesgo de caídas» se relacionaron con deterioro funcional a los 30 días del alta (OR ajustada 6,3; IC 95%: 1,7-22,5; p = 0,005), y la omisión de fármacos del sistema cardiovascular se asoció con el reingreso a los 180 días (OR ajustada 3,6; IC 95%: 1,5-8,3, p = 0,003).

Conclusiones

La presencia de eventos adversos de pacientes ancianos dados de alta de una UCE podría relacionarse con PPI detectadas por algunos criterios STOPP-START, y concretamente con los fármacos de los procesos cardiovasculares, neuropsiquiátrico y relacionado con las caídas.

Improving geriatric prescribing in the ED: a qualitative study of facilitators and barriers to clinical decision support tool use

Quality problem or issue

Clinical decision support (CDS) may improve prescribing for older adults in the Emergency Department (ED) if adopted by providers.

Initial assessment

Existing prescribing order entry processes were mapped at an initial Veterans Administration Medical Center site, demonstrating cognitive burden, effort and safety concerns.

Choice of solution

Geriatric order sets incorporating 2012 Beers guidelines and including geriatric prescribing advice and prepopulated order options were developed.

Implementation

Geriatric order sets were implemented at two sites as part of the multicomponent 'Enhancing Quality of Prescribing Practices for Older Veterans Discharged from the Emergency Department' quality improvement initiative.

Evaluation

Facilitators and barriers to order sets use at the two sites were evaluated. Phone interviews were conducted with two provider groups (n = 20), those 'EQUiPPED' with the interventions (n = 10, 5 at each site) and Comparison providers who were only exposed to order sets through a clickable option on the ED order menu within the patient's medical record (n = 10, 5 at each site). All providers were asked about order set 'use' and 'usefulness'. Users (n = 11) were asked about 'usability'.

Lessons learned

Order set adopters described 'usefulness' in terms of 'safety' and 'efficiency', whereas order set consultants and order set non-users described 'usefulness' in terms of 'information' or 'training'. Provider 'autonomy', 'comfort' level with existing tools, and 'learning curve' were stated as barriers to use.

Conclusions

Quantifying efficiency advantages and communicating safety benefit over preexisting practices and tools may improve adoption of CDS in ED and in other settings of care.

Prevalence and predictors of potentially inappropriate prescribing of central nervous system and psychotropic drugs among elderly patients: A national population study in Korea

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the prevalence of potentially inappropriate prescribing (PIP) of central nervous system and psychotropic (CNS-PS) drugs to the Korean elderly population, and to identify PIP-associated factors.

METHODS

Ambulatory care visits were identified from the 2013 National Aged Patient Sample (HIRA-APS-2013) data, composed of 20% random samples of all enrollees in the universal health security program aged ≥65 years. The CNS-PS section of Screening Tool of Older Person's potentially inappropriate Prescriptions (STOPP) criteria version 2 was used to identify PIP at these visits.

RESULTS

A total of 24,427,069 prescription claims records and 1,122,080 patients were included in the study; 10.73% of the claims and 53.64% of the patients satisfied at least one STOPP criterion in the prescription of CNS-PS drugs. The highest prevalence of PIP was observed for the criteria of "first-generation antihistamines" (FGAH), followed by tricyclic antidepressants (TCA) in patients with prostatism and TCA in patients with dementia. The generalized estimating equation logistic regression analysis showed that the PIP of FGAH was significantly associated with polypharmacy (5-9 drugs: odds ratio (OR) 4.965, 95% confidence interval (CI) 4.936-4.994; ≥10 drugs: OR 5.704, 95% CI 5.604-5.807), less severe health conditions (Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI)=2: OR 0.852, 95% CI 0.842-0.862; CCI=1: OR 0.975, 95% CI 0.964-0.986), prescriptions from clinics (OR>1.0), and outpatient care by general practitioners (OR>1.0).

CONCLUSIONS

Appropriate interventions to reduce PIP should be made, especially for the criteria that indicate a high PIP prevalence. Targeted strategies are necessary to modify the risk factors of PIP identified from this study.

Determinants of Potentially Inappropriate Medication Use in Long-Term and Acute Care Settings: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) are widely used in institutionalized older adults, yet the key determinants that drive their use are incompletely characterized.

METHODS

We systematically searched published literature within MEDLINE and Embase from January 1998 to March 2017. We searched for studies conducted in the United States that described determinants of PIM use in adults ≥60 years of age in a nursing home or residential care facility, in the emergency department (ED), or in the hospital. Paired reviewers independently screened abstracts and full-text articles, assessed quality, and extracted data.

RESULTS

Among 30 included articles, 12 examined PIM use in the nursing home or residential care settings, 4 in the ED, 12 in acute care hospitals, and 2 across settings. The Beers criteria were most frequently used to identify PIM use, which ranged from 3.6% to 92.0%. Across all settings, the most common determinants of PIM use were medication burden and geographic region. In the nursing home, the most common additional determinants were younger age, and diagnoses of depression or diabetes. In both the ED and hospital, patients receiving care in the West, Midwest, and South, relative to the Northeast, were at greater risk of receiving a PIM. Very few studies examined clinician determinants of PIM use; geriatricians used fewer PIMs in the hospital than other clinicians.

CONCLUSIONS

Among older adults, those who are on many medications are at increased risk for PIM use across multiple settings. We propose that careful testing of interventions that target modifiable determinants are indicated to assess their impact on PIM use.

Limiting Meperidine Use in Pain Management

Hospital Pharmacy welcomes contributions to this column, in which articles originally published in pharmacy department newsletters are reprinted. Material is selected because of its educational value or because it typifies the type of information that is interesting to pharmacy newsletter readers. If you wish to have your newsletter material considered for publication in this column, mail a copy and a computer disk containing the document to Jennifer Allen, Journal Editor, Facts and Comparisons, 111 Westport Plaza, Suite 300, St. Louis, Mo 63147.

A Systematic Review of the Impact of Potentially Inappropriate Medication on Health Care Utilization and Costs Among Older Adults

BACKGROUND

Potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) are defined as those medicines having a greater potential risk than benefit for older adults. In this systematic literature review, we evaluate the current evidence on health care service use and health care costs associated with PIMs among older adults.

METHODS

A literature search was conducted in August 2015 without publication date restrictions using the databases PubMed and Scopus. Selected articles included in the review of articles were: (1) observational cohort or case-control, or intervention studies; (2) investigating PIM use among older adults aged 65 years or older with outcomes on health care utilization (eg, hospitalization) or health care costs; and (3) use of some published criteria for assessing PIMs.

RESULTS

Of 825 abstracts screened, in total 51 articles proceeded to full-text review. Of those full-text articles, 39 articles were included in this review. Most of the articles found that PIMs had a statistically significant effect on health care service use, especially on hospitalization, among older adults. The findings of impact on length of stay or readmissions were inconclusive. Five studies found statistically significant higher medical or total health care costs for PIM users compared those who did not use any PIMs.

CONCLUSIONS

PIMs can, in addition to health and quality of life problems, also lead to greater health care service use and, thus, higher health care costs. However, the heterogeneity of the study settings makes the interpretation of the results difficult. Further studies, especially on economic issues with country-specific criteria, are needed.

The Association of Potentially Inappropriate Medication at Older Age With Cardiovascular Events and Overall Mortality: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Cohort Studies

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this systematic review was to identify, evaluate, and meta-analyze cohort studies reporting the association of potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) intake with mortality and cardiovascular events.

DESIGN

A systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective and retrospective cohort studies were conducted. Study appraisal included a thorough risk of bias assessment. Data synthesis followed a random-effects model.

DATA SOURCES

The included studies were retrieved from the databases MEDLINE and ISI Web of Knowledge. Additionally, the authors checked the references of the included studies for further relevant literature.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR SELECTING STUDIES

For inclusion in a study, the population needed to be older than 60 years of age and not restricted to having one specific disease. The outcome had to address all-cause mortality or cardiovascular events. Studies that examined polypharmacy or specific drugs were excluded.

RESULTS

At first, 13 studies were included in a meta-analysis. The association of PIM with overall mortality was not statistically significant (risk ratio; 95% confidence interval, 1.13; 0.95-1.35). However, the majority of studies showed a high risk of specific forms of bias. These biases can be excluded by applying a new user design. It ascertains that adverse events occurring early in therapy are recorded. After restricting the meta-analysis to three studies with a new user design, the association of PIM use and mortality was statistically significant (risk ratio; 95% confidence interval, 1.59; 1.45-1.75). Only one study focused on cardiovascular events and found no statistically significant association. However, the study was not conducted with a new user design.

CONCLUSION

In studies with adequate methods (new user design), PIM use, defined by Beers criteria or the HEDIS-DAE list, was associated with a 1.6-fold increased mortality in older adults. Physicians should therefore avoid prescribing PIM for older adults whenever feasible. Further new user design studies are required for cardiovascular outcomes and to compare the predictive value of different PIM criteria for mortality.

Potentially inappropriate medications prescribed for elderly patients through family physicians

The elderly population is increasing throughout the globe, resulting in higher healthcare costs. Potential inappropriate medication (PIM) prescriptions are a major health problem affecting the elderly persons. Due to limited studies in PIM use in primary care and home healthcare in Saudi Arabia, we aim to examine the extent of PIM prescription for and use by elderly patients. This study was carried out with 798 elderly patients, arbitrarily selected from Prince Sultan Medical Military City through the patient register. The mean age of the patients were in the range of 75.2 ± 5.5; 37.8% were males and 62.2% were females. The elderly patients are affected majorly with diabetes (73.9%), hypertension (83.2%) and lipid abnormalities (73.8%). The maximum patients involved in this study were affected with lower hemoglobin levels i.e. 99.2%. Renal impairment was found in 64% and iron supplements were the most commonly used in 23.1%, followed by analgesics and opioids (17%). The 52.5% of participants were using one or more PIMs. Kidney was the only functions and had influence on prescribed decisions. This study indicates PIM is a concern in elderly patients attending clinics and home residents and commonly prescribed ones are atypical antipsychotics, iron overdose, benzodiazepines and opioids. Prescription of drug-drug interactions, cascades and inappropriate drug doses results in preventable adverse effects.

Trends and predicted trends in presentations of older people to Australian emergency departments: effects of demand growth, population aging and climate change

Objectives The aim of the present study was to describe trends in and age and gender distributions of presentations of older people to Australian emergency departments (EDs) from July 2006 to June 2011, and to develop ED utilisation projections to 2050. Methods A retrospective analysis of data collected in the National Non-admitted Patient Emergency Department Care Database was undertaken to assess trends in ED presentations. Three standard Australian Bureau of Statistics population growth models, with and without adjustment for current trends in ED presentation growth and effects of climate change, were examined with projections of ED presentations across three age groups (0–64, 65–84 and ≥85 years) to 2050. Results From 2006–07 to 2010–11, ED presentations increased by 12.63%, whereas the Australian population over this time increased by only 7.26%. Rates of presentation per head of population were greatest among those aged ≥85 years. Projections of ED presentations to 2050 revealed that overall ED presentations are forecast to increase markedly, with the rate of increase being most marked for older people. Conclusion Growth in Australian ED presentations from 2006–07 to 2010–11 was greater than that expected from population growth alone. The predicted changes in demand for ED care will only be able to be optimally managed if Australian health policy, ED funding instruments and ED models of care are adjusted to take into account the specific care and resource needs of older people. What is known about the topic? Rapid population aging is anticipated over coming decades. International studies and specific local-level Australian studies have demonstrated significant growth in ED presentations. There have been no prior national-level Australian studies of ED presentation trends by age group. What does this paper add? The present study examined national ED presentation trends from July 2006 to June 2011, with specific emphasis on trends in presentation by age group. ED presentation growth was found to exceed population growth in all age groups. The rate of ED presentations per head of population was highest among those aged ≥85 years. ED utilisation projections to 2050, using standard Australian Bureau of Statistics population modelling, with and without adjustment for current ED growth, were developed. The projections demonstrated linear growth in ED presentation for those aged 0–84 years, with growth in ED presentations of the ≥85 year age group demonstrating marked acceleration after 2030. What are the implications for practitioners? Growth in ED presentations exceeding population growth suggests that current models of acute health care delivery require review to ensure that optimal care is delivered in the most fiscally efficient manner. Trends in presentation of older people emphasise the imperative for ED workforce planning and education in care of this complex patient cohort, and the requirement to review funding models to incentivise investment in ED avoidance and substitutive care models targeting older people.

Abdominal Pain in the Geriatric Patient

Abdominal pain in the elderly can be a challenging and difficult condition to diagnose and treat. The geriatric population has significant comorbidities and often takes polypharmacy that can mask symptoms. The presentation of common conditions can be different than that in the younger population, often lacking the traditional indicators of disease, making it of pivotal importance for the clinician to consider a wide differential during their workup. It is also important to consider extra-abdominal abnormality that may manifest as abdominal pain.

Potentially Inappropriate Medication and Health Care Outcomes: An Instrumental Variable Approach

OBJECTIVE

To examine the effects of potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) use on health care outcomes in elderly individuals using an instrumental variable (IV) approach.

DATA SOURCES/STUDY SETTING

Representative claim data from the universal health insurance program in Taiwan from 2007 to 2010.

STUDY DESIGN

We employed a panel study design to examine the relationship between PIM and hospitalization. We applied both the naive generalized estimating equation (GEE) model, which controlled for the observed patient and hospital characteristics, and the two-stage residual inclusion (2SRI) GEE model, which further accounted for the unobserved confounding factors. The PIM prescription rate of the physician most frequently visited by each patient was used as the IV.

PRINCIPAL FINDINGS

The naive GEE models indicated that patient PIM use was associated with a higher likelihood of hospitalization (odds ratio [OR], 1.399; 95 percent confidence interval [CI], 1.363-1.435). Using the physician PIM prescribing rate as an IV, we identified a stronger significant association between PIM and hospitalization (OR, 1.990; 95 percent CI, 1.647-2.403).

CONCLUSIONS

PIM use is associated with increased hospitalization in elderly individuals. Adjusting for unobserved confounders is needed to obtain unbiased estimates of the relationship between PIM and health care outcomes.

Assessment and Management of Delirium in Older Adults in the Emergency Department: Literature Review to Inform Development of a Novel Clinical Protocol

Delirium occurs frequently in older patients in the emergency department (ED), is underrecognized, and has potentially serious consequences. Despite its seriousness, delirium is frequently missed by emergency providers, and patients with unrecognized delirium are often discharged from the ED. Even when it is appropriately recognized, managing delirium in older adults poses a significant challenge for ED providers. Geriatric delirium is typically caused by the interaction of multiple factors, including several that are commonly missed: pain, urinary retention, constipation, dehydration, and polypharmacy. Appropriate management includes nonpharmacological management with medication intervention reserved for emergencies. We have developed a new, comprehensive, evidence-based protocol for diagnosis/recognition, management, and disposition of geriatric delirium patients in the ED with a focus on identifying and treating commonly missed contributing causes.

Conceptualizing and measuring potentially inappropriate drug therapy

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE

Elderly people are the principal consumers of prescription drugs. The more the medication used by the patient, the greater the likelihood there is of the patient being subjected to potentially inappropriate drug therapy (PIDT). PIDT has been measured in the literature with both implicit and explicit tools. The purpose of this review was to assess the use of tools to detect PIDT in various studies and to determine which terms are used to refer to PIDT in practice.

METHODS

A systematic review was conducted according to the following steps: the first was identification. In this step, studies were selected from different combinations of the descriptors 'aged', 'elderly', 'inappropriate prescribing' and 'drug utilization' in three different languages, using the Embase, Medline, Scielo, Scopus and Web of Science databases. Second, the papers that satisfied the inclusion criteria for data extraction were carefully examined by three evaluators to determine the tools used and terms that referred to PIDT.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

From the combinations of keywords, 8610 articles were found. At the end of the selection process, 119 of the articles complied with the specified criteria. The degree of agreement among evaluators was moderate for the study titles (κ1  = 0·479) and substantial for abstracts (κ2  = 0·647). With respect to the PIDT evaluation criteria used by the studies, 27·7% used two criteria. Of the 27 evaluation criteria identified, the Beers criteria were used by 82·3% of the studies. More than 50 different terms to identify PIDT were found in the literature.

WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION

This review is the first study to conceptualize and discuss terms that refer to PIDT. At present, there is no consensus regarding terms used to refer to PIDT, with over 50 different terms currently in use. This review shows an increase in the number of articles aimed at evaluating PIDT using implicit and explicit tools.

A systematic review of prescribing criteria to evaluate appropriateness of medications in frail older people

This study systematically reviews the published literature regarding inappropriate prescribing in frail individuals aged at least 65 years. Twenty-five of 466 identified studies met the inclusion criteria. All papers measured some surrogate indicators of frailty, such as performance-based tests, cognitive function and functional dependency. Beers criteria were used in 20 studies (74%) to evaluate inappropriate medication use and 36% (9/25) studies used more than one criterion. The prevalence of inappropriate medications ranged widely from 11 to 92%. Only a few studies reported the relationship between potentially inappropriate medication use and surrogate measures of frailty. These diverse findings indicate the need for a standardized measure for assessing appropriateness of medication in frail older individuals. Prescribing tools should address both medication and patient-related factors such as life expectancy and functional status to minimize inappropriate prescribing in frail individuals.

Measuring physician adherence with gout quality indicators: a role for natural language processing

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate physician adherence with gout quality indicators (QIs) for medication use and monitoring, and behavioral modification (BM).

METHODS

Gout patients were assessed for the QIs as follows: QI 1: initial allopurinol dosage <300 mg/day for patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD); QI 2: uric acid within 6 months of allopurinol start; and QI 3: complete blood count and creatinine phosphokinase within 6 months of colchicine initiation. Natural language processing (NLP) was used to analyze clinical narrative data from electronic medical records (EMRs) of overweight (body mass index ≥28 kg/m(2) ) gout patients for BM counseling on gout-specific dietary restrictions, weight loss, and alcohol consumption (QI 4). Additional data included sociodemographics, comorbidities, and number of rheumatology and primary care visits. QI compliance versus noncompliance was compared using chi-square analyses and independent-groups t-test.

RESULTS

In 2,280 gout patients, compliance with QI was as follows: QI 1: 92.1%, QI 2: 44.8%, and QI 3: 7.7%. Patients compliant with QI 2 had more rheumatology visits at 3.5 versus 2.6 visits (P < 0.001), while those compliant with QI 3 had more CKD (P < 0.01). Of 1,576 eligible patients, BM counseling for weight loss occurred in 1,008 patients (64.0%), low purine diet in 390 (24.8%), alcohol abstention in 137 (8.7%), and all 3 elements in 51 patients (3.2%). Regular rheumatology clinic visits correlated with frequent advice on weight loss and gout-specific diet (P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSION

Rheumatology clinic attendance was associated with greater QI compliance. NLP proved a valuable tool for measuring BM as documented in the clinical narrative of EMRs.

Strategies for reducing medication errors in the emergency department

Medication errors are an all-too-common occurrence in emergency departments across the nation. This is largely secondary to a multitude of factors that create an almost ideal environment for medication errors to thrive. To limit and mitigate these errors, it is necessary to have a thorough knowledge of the medication-use process in the emergency department and develop strategies targeted at each individual step. Some of these strategies include medication-error analysis, computerized provider-order entry systems, automated dispensing cabinets, bar-coding systems, medication reconciliation, standardizing medication-use processes, education, and emergency-medicine clinical pharmacists. Special consideration also needs to be given to the development of strategies for the pediatric population, as they can be at an elevated risk of harm. Regardless of the strategies implemented, the prevention of medication errors begins and ends with the development of a culture that promotes the reporting of medication errors, and a systematic, nonpunitive approach to their elimination.

Frequency and types of the medication errors in an academic emergency department in Iran: The emergent need for clinical pharmacy services in emergency departments

Objective:

Emergency departments (EDs) are characterized by simultaneous care of multiple patients with various medical conditions. Due to a large number of patients with complex diseases, speed and complexity of medication use, working in under-staffing and crowded environment, medication errors are commonly perpetrated by emergency care providers. This study was designed to evaluate the incidence of medication errors among patients attending to an ED in a teaching hospital in Iran.

Methods:

In this cross-sectional study, a total of 500 patients attending to ED were randomly assessed for incidence and types of medication errors. Some factors related to medication errors such as working shift, weekdays and schedule of the educational program of trainee were also evaluated.

Findings:

Nearly, 22% of patients experienced at least one medication error. The rate of medication errors were 0.41 errors per patient and 0.16 errors per ordered medication. The frequency of medication errors was higher in men, middle age patients, first weekdays, night-time work schedules and the first semester of educational year of new junior emergency medicine residents. More than 60% of errors were prescription errors by physicians and the remaining were transcription or administration errors by nurses. More than 35% of the prescribing errors happened during the selection of drug dose and frequency. The most common medication errors by nurses during the administration were omission error (16.2%) followed by unauthorized drug (6.4%). Most of the medication errors happened for anticoagulants and thrombolytics (41.2%) followed by antimicrobial agents (37.7%) and insulin (7.4%).

Conclusion:

In this study, at least one-fifth of the patients attending to ED experienced medication errors resulting from multiple factors. More common prescription errors happened during ordering drug dose and frequency. More common administration errors included dug omission or unauthorized drug.

Impact of a Multidisciplinary Culture Follow-up Program of Antimicrobial Therapy in the Emergency Department

Introduction

Antimicrobial prescribing in the emergency department is predominantly empiric, with final microbiology results either unavailable or reported after most patients are discharged home. Systematic follow-up processes are needed to ensure appropriate antimicrobial therapy at this transition of care. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of a culture follow-up (CFU) program on the frequency of emergency department (ED) revisits within 72 h and hospital admissions within 30 days compared to the historical standard of care (SOC). Additionally, infection characteristics and antimicrobial therapy were compared.

Methods

A single group, pre-test post-test quasi-experimental study was conducted comparing a retrospective SOC group to a prospective CFU group. CFU was implemented using computerized decision-support software and a multidisciplinary team of pharmacists and emergency physician staff.

Results

Over the four-month intervention period the CFU group evaluated 197 cultures and modified antimicrobial therapy in 25.5%. The rate of combined ED revisits within 72 h and hospital admissions within 30 days was 16.9% in the SOC group and 10.2% in the CFU group (p = 0.079). When evaluating the uninsured population alone, revisits to the ED within 72 h were reduced from 15.3% in the SOC group to 2.4% in the CFU group (p = 0.044).

Conclusion

Implementation of a multidisciplinary CFU program was associated with a reduction in ED revisits within 72 h and hospital admissions within 30 days. One-fourth of patients required post-discharge intervention, representing a large need for antimicrobial stewardship expansion to ED practice models.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s40121-014-0026-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Potentially inappropriate medications in community-dwelling older adults

Potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) use is a significant worldwide public health problem. Community-dwelling older adults are susceptible to the negative outcomes associated with the use of PIMs. A database search (January 1991-June 2013) produced 19 prospective correlational and 10 intervention studies. The current state of the science reveals that conceptual clarity is lacking regarding the use of PIMs. The prevalence of PIM use is well documented in an abundance of descriptive studies. However, researchers have not examined an intervention's effects on health outcomes in community-dwelling older adults. Although independent older adults can acquire PIMs outside of a provider, current interventions aim to change the behavior of the prescribing physician and pharmacist. Nurses need to collaborate with other disciplines in PIM use research. Priority needs are to design interventions that reduce the use of PIMs and negative health outcomes.

Rising burden of gout in the UK but continuing suboptimal management: a nationwide population study

OBJECTIVES

To describe trends in the epidemiology of gout and patterns of urate-lowering treatment (ULT) in the UK general population from 1997 to 2012.

METHODS

We used the Clinical Practice Research Datalink to estimate the prevalence and incidence of gout for each calendar year from 1997 to 2012. We also investigated the pattern of gout management for both prevalent and incident gout patients.

RESULTS

In 2012, the prevalence of gout was 2.49% (95% CI 2.48% to 2.51%) and the incidence was 1.77 (95% CI 1.73 to 1.81) per 1000 person-years. Prevalence and incidence both were significantly higher in 2012 than in 1997, with a 63.9% increase in prevalence and 29.6% increase in incidence over this period. Regions with highest prevalence and incidence were the North East and Wales. Among prevalent gout patients in 2012, only 48.48% (95% CI 48.08% to 48.89%) were being consulted specifically for gout or treated with ULT and of these 37.63% (95% CI 37.28% to 38.99%) received ULT. In addition, only 18.6% (95% CI 17.6% to 19.6%) of incident gout patients received ULT within 6 months and 27.3% (95% CI 26.1% to 28.5%) within 12 months of diagnosis. The management of prevalent and incident gout patients remained essentially the same during the study period, although the percentage of adherent patients improved from 28.28% (95% CI 27.33% to 29.26%) in 1997 to 39.66% (95% CI 39.11% to 40.22%) in 2012.

CONCLUSIONS

In recent years, both the prevalence and incidence of gout have increased significantly in the UK. Suboptimal use of ULT has not changed between 1997 and 2012. Patient adherence has improved during the study period, but it remains poor.

Methodology for developing quality indicators for the care of older people in the Emergency Department

Background

Compared with younger people, older people have a higher risk of adverse health outcomes when presenting to emergency departments. As the population ages, older people will make up an increasing proportion of the emergency department population. Therefore it is timely that consideration be given to the quality of care received by older persons in emergency departments, and to consideration of those older people with special needs. Particular attention will be focused on important groups of older people, such as patients with cognitive impairment, residents of long term care and patients with palliative care needs. This project will develop a suite of quality indicators focused on the care of older persons in the emergency department.

Methods/design

Following input from an expert panel, an initial set of structural, process, and outcome indicators will be developed based on thorough systematic search in the scientific literature. All initial indicators will be tested in eight emergency departments for their validity and feasibility. Results of the data from the field studies will be presented to the expert panel at a second meeting. A suite of Quality Indicators for the older emergency department population will be finalised following a formal voting process.

Discussion

The predicted burgeoning in the number of older persons presenting to emergency departments combined with the recognised quality deficiencies in emergency department care delivery to this population, highlight the need for a quality framework for the care of older persons in emergency departments. Additionally, high quality of care is associated with improved survival & health outcomes of elderly patients. The development of well-selected, validated and economical quality indicators will allow appropriate targeting of resources (financial, education or quality management) to improve quality in areas with maximum potential for improvement.

Appropriate prescribing in older people

Prescribing for older people is often complex and challenging. With age, people almost invariably develop diseases leading to the prescription of drugs and the risk of multiple prescribing increases, especially if there is strict adherence to single disease guidelines. There remains a paucity of evidence from clinical trials as to the efficacy of many drugs in patients aged over 80 years due to the gross under-representation of older people in clinical trials. Older people are also at increased risk of adverse drug events, which are an important cause of morbidity and mortality. A significant percentage of these are both predictable and potentially avoidable.

In this updated review the concept of appropriate prescribing in older people is explored, including the importance of individualized care and shared decision-making. The available tools to enhance prescribing practice are examined, including those aimed at reducing inappropriate prescriptions and under prescribing. The limitations of existing tools are discussed and areas with particular promise and scope for advancement are highlighted, including the development of integrated IT systems and software engines to aid clinicians in appropriate prescribing.

Using pharmacists to optimize patient outcomes and costs in the ED

Participation of hospital clinical pharmacists in the care of inpatients is widespread, often encouraged by the dicta promulgated by regulatory bodies. For years, clinical pharmacists have ventured out of the pharmacy to participate in rounds and, otherwise, in the care of patients on hospital floors and in intensive care units. In fact, it has been well documented in many research studies published in the last 20 years that having pharmacists prospectively involved with orders generates significant cost savings for the hospital and benefit to patients. Until recently, the emergency department (ED) seemed to be a hectic environment that would be inhospitable to the careful, meticulous, and usually deliberate process of many clinical pharmacists. The potential benefits were recognized, but the pace and costs seemed prohibitive. The addition of pharmacists in the ED has reduced medication errors and provided numerous other benefits that will be discussed in this article. We will show that recent data indicate that using an ED clinical pharmacist promotes patient safety and is cost-effective.

Profiles of older patients in the emergency department: findings from the interRAI Multinational Emergency Department Study

STUDY OBJECTIVE

We examine functional profiles and presence of geriatric syndromes among older patients attending 13 emergency departments (EDs) in 7 nations.

METHODS

This was a prospective observational study of a convenience sample of patients, aged 75 years and older, recruited sequentially and mainly during normal working hours. Clinical observations were drawn from the interRAI Emergency Department Screener, with assessments performed by trained nurses.

RESULTS

A sample of 2,282 patients (range 98 to 549 patients across nations) was recruited. Before becoming unwell, 46% were dependent on others in one or more aspects of personal activities of daily living. This proportion increased to 67% at presentation to the ED. In the ED, 26% exhibited evidence of cognitive impairment, and 49% could not walk without supervision. Recent falls were common (37%). Overall, at least 48% had a geriatric syndrome before becoming unwell, increasing to 78% at presentation to the ED. This pattern was consistent across nations.

CONCLUSION

Functional problems and geriatric syndromes affect the majority of older patients attending the ED, which may have important implications for clinical protocols and design of EDs.