PRN drug utilization in Indiana long-term care facilities

Data collected from a sample of 307 private and Medicaid patients from 20 LTCFs in Indiana showed that patients were prescribed an average of 4.9 PRN medications. Significant differences were found between the types of LTCFs and the average number of PRN medications per patient. In 14 LTCFs classified as both ICF and SNF, patients were prescribed an average of 4.7 PRN medications. In four LTCFs classified ICFs, patients were prescribed an average of 6.2 PRN medications. In two LTCFs classified as SNFs, patients were prescribed an average of 3.9 PRN medications. The average number of PRN medications per Medicaid patient was 5.2 while the average number of PRN medications per private patient was 4.8. Overall, 48.8% of all PRN medication orders were never consumed during the study period. Mean PRN medication utilization per LTCF ranged from 2.5 per cent to 36.4%. It is assumed that if PRN medication not being consumed/used by the patient were to be returned to the pharmacy, a substantial cost savings could be realized by the responsible party.