Potentially inappropriate prescriptions for older patients in long-term care.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Inappropriate medication use is a major healthcare issue for the elderly population. This study explored the prevalence of potentially inappropriate prescriptions (PIPs) in long-term care in metropolitan Quebec.

Methods

A cross sectional chart review of 2,633 long-term care older patients of the Quebec City area was performed. An explicit criteria list for PIPs was developed based on the literature and validated by a modified Delphi method. Medication orders were reviewed to describe prescribing patterns and to determine the prevalence of PIPs. A multivariate analysis was performed to identify predictors of PIPs.

Results

Almost all residents (94.0%) were receiving one or more prescribed medication; on average patients had 4.8 prescribed medications. A major

SUBMITTER: Rancourt C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC529256 | biostudies-literature | 2004 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature