A pilot study of a Medication Rationalization (MERA) intervention.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND:Many seriously ill and frail inpatients receive potentially inappropriate or harmful medications and do not receive medications for symptoms of advanced illness. We developed and piloted an interprofessional Medication Rationalization (MERA) approach to deprescribing inappropriate medications and prescribing appropriate comfort medications. METHODS:We conducted a single-centre pilot study of inpatients at risk of 6-month mortality from advanced age or morbidity. The MERA team reviewed the patients' medications and made recommendations on the basis of guidelines. We measured end points for feasibility, acceptability, efficiency and effectiveness. RESULTS:We enrolled 61 of 115 (53%) eligible patients with a mean age of 79.6 years (standard deviation [SD] 11.7 yr). Patients were ta

SUBMITTER: Whitty R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5878954 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature