OBJECTIVE: This study provides preliminary findings that will help (1) make estimates on the scope of potentially inappropriate medication prescription (PIRx) among geriatric residents in U.S. nursing homes (NHs); and (2) examine the associated resident and facility factors of having PIRx in this population. METHODS: The study defined PIRx using Beers’ criteria, a consensus guideline on medications that generally should be avoided among geriatric patients. A subset of these medications was identified as having potential for severe harm on patient’s health. The study sample included residents, aged 65 and older, who had NH stays of three consecutive months or more in 1996. Obtained from the national 1996 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey Nursing Home Component, these residents represented 1.591 million NH users (n=3392). RESULTS: About 50% of residents represented in the study were known to have at least one PIRx, 30% were known to have no PIRx, and 20% were unknown due to insufficient data. Over 17% had at least one PIRx with potential for severe harm. Preliminary findings indicate that factors associated with PIRx included resident’s age, mental and functional status, as well as the facility’s location. CONCLUSIONS: With the known data, we found that, at the minimum, half of the all geriatric NH residents who had a stay of three consecutive months or more in 1996 received a PIRx according to Beers’ criteria. Focusing on residents at greater risk for PIRx would assist in developing more efficient quality review and targeted care management programs
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant will be able to: 1) Describe potentially inappropriate medication prescribing by characteristics of nursing home settings and residents. 2) Identify what patient characteristics and setting-of-care characteristics contribute to the risk of inappropriate medication prescribing among nursing home residents.
Keywords: Nursing Homes, Prescription Drug Use Patterns
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: The research uses data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) Nursing Home Component, which is sponsored by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Student intern at the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) and PhD student at Johns Hopkins University, School of Hygiene and Public Health.