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Published on: April 19, 2019
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Healthcare Utilisation and Clinical Outcomes in Older Cardiovascular Patients Receiving Comprehensive Medication
Andrea Brajković1, Lorena Bosnar2, Mariana Martins Gonzaga do Nascimento3
1Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia.
Summary
Comprehensive medication management (CMM) services improved cardiovascular risk factors and reduced healthcare use in older adults. Pharmacist-led CMM significantly lowered blood pressure and cholesterol, decreasing hospital admissions and GP visits.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Geriatrics
- Public Health
Background:
- Older adults with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) often have complex medication regimens.
- Effective medication management is crucial for improving health outcomes and reducing healthcare costs in this population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of comprehensive medication management (CMM) services on healthcare utilization and cardiovascular risk factors in older patients with established CVDs.
- To assess the role of pharmacists in delivering CMM services in primary care settings.
Main Methods:
- A quasi-experimental study involving 133 older patients (65-80 years) with CVDs at a Croatian primary care clinic.
- Patients were divided into an intervention group (receiving pharmacist-led CMM) and a control group, followed for one year.
- Comparison of clinical parameters (blood pressure, HbA1c, LDL, TC) and healthcare utilization (hospital admissions, emergency visits, unplanned GP visits) between groups.
Main Results:
- CMM intervention significantly improved systolic blood pressure (p = 0.038), diastolic blood pressure (p = 0.001), total cholesterol (p = 0.014), LDL cholesterol (p = 0.005), and HbA1c (p = 0.045).
- Intervention group showed statistically and clinically lower systolic (−9.02 mmHg) and diastolic (−4.99 mmHg) blood pressure compared to the control group.
- Hospital admissions and unplanned GP visits were significantly higher in the control group compared to the CMM intervention group.
Conclusions:
- Pharmacist-provided CMM services significantly improve cardiovascular risk factors in older adults with CVDs.
- CMM services lead to a notable reduction in healthcare utilization, including hospital admissions and unplanned GP visits.
- CMM services offered by pharmacists represent a valuable strategy for enhancing patient outcomes and potentially generating healthcare savings.
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