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[Placement in a nursing home does not automatically lead to increased use of drugs]
F M Haaijer-Ruskamp1, R T Evenwel, C A Dingemans
1Rijksuniversiteit, vakgroep Gezondheidswetenschappen, Groningen.
Objective:
To determine whether the use of drugs increases during a stay in a nursing home.
Setting:
Fifteen nursing homes in Groningen and Haren.
Design:
Prospective study.
Method:
In 250 persons admitted to a nursing home in the period December 1986-December 1987 the following data were determined: the mean number of different drugs, the total quantity of drugs used expressed in DDDs (Defined Daily Dose), the number of diagnosis and the functioning.
Results:
The mean number of different drugs used per person per quarter increased significantly (4.5 in the first quarter as against 5.7 in the fourth quarter). The total quantity of drugs expressed in DDDs used per person per quarter, and the mean duration of their being prescribed did not change significantly. An exception were dermatological preparations (0.13 DDDs in the first quarter as against 0.42 DDDs in the fourth quarter), probably in connection with decubitus.
Conclusion:
A stay in a residential home does not necessarily lead to use of larger quantities of drugs (DDDs). However, there are indications that placement may lead to a greater diversity of the drugs used.