Potentially inappropriate prescribing in nursing home residents detected with the community pharmacist specific GheOP^sup 3^S-tool

• Published in: Pharmacy world and science Vol. 38; no. 5; p. 1063
• Main Authors: Tommelein, Eline, Mehuys, Els, Petrovic, Mirko, Somers, Annemie, Van Damme, Charlotte, Pattyn, Eva, Mattelin, Kristof, Boussery, Koen
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer Nature B.V 01.10.2016
• Subjects: Nursing homes; Older people; Pharmacists; Belgium
• ISSN: 2210-7703; 2210-7711
• DOI: 10.1007/s11096-016-0366-6

Background The Ghent Older People's Prescriptions community Pharmacy Screening (GheOP³S-)tool was recently developed to screen for potentially inappropriate prescribing (PIP). Objective We aimed (1) to determine PIP prevalence in older nursing home (NH) residents with polypharmacy using the GheOP³S-tool and (2) to identify those PIPs that are most frequently detected. Method A cross-sectional study was carried out between February and June 2014 in 10 NHs in Belgium, supplied by a community pharmacy chain. For each NH, 40 residents ([greater than or equal to]70 years, using [greater than or equal to]5 chronic drugs) were included. PIP prevalence was determined using the GheOP³S-tool. Results 400 NH residents were included [mean age (±SD) 86.2 (±6.3) years; median number of drugs (±IQR) 10 (7-12)]. A total of 1728 PIPs were detected in 387 (97 %) participants (Median 4; IQR 2-6). The most prevalent items can be assigned to three categories: long-term use of central nervous system drugs (i.e. benzodiazepines, antidepressants and antipsychotics), use of anticholinergic drugs (mutual combinations and with underlying constipation/dementia) and underuse of osteoporosis prophylaxis. Conclusion Screening for PIP by means of the GheOP³S-tool revealed a high prevalence of PIP among older NH residents with polypharmacy. This finding urges for initiatives on the patient-level, but also on a broader, institutional level.