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Published on: January 11, 2020
[Improving adequacy for drug use and effects in geriatric centers using an intervention program]
A Sicras Mainar1, J Peláez de Loño
1Unidad de Farmacia, Región Sanitaria de Barcelonés Norte y Maresme, Badalona, Barcelona. asicras@bsa.gs
Summary
A program improved drug prescription efficiency in nursing homes, leading to cost containment and increased generic drug use. This intervention demonstrates a successful strategy for optimizing pharmaceutical care in long-term facilities.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Pharmacoeconomics
- Health Services Research
Context:
- Nursing home residents often have complex medication needs.
- Optimizing drug prescriptions is crucial for resident safety and healthcare costs.
- Evaluating interventions in real-world settings like nursing homes is essential.
Purpose:
- To assess the effectiveness of a program designed to enhance drug prescription adequacy in nursing homes.
- To evaluate the impact of the intervention 2 years post-implementation.
- To analyze changes in drug costs and utilization patterns.
Summary:
- A quasi-experimental study compared intervention and control groups of nursing homes.
- The intervention included educational materials, interviews, and monitoring.
- Key metrics included drug cost per resident, generic drug use, and specific medication classes.
Impact:
- The intervention group showed significant cost containment compared to the control group.
- Increased use of generic drugs and specific recommended medications was observed.
- The program demonstrated improved efficiency and quality of pharmaceutical prescriptions in nursing homes.
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