Outcomes of a Medication Optimization Virtual Interdisciplinary Geriatric Specialist (MOVING) Program: A Feasibility...

Area of Science:

• Geriatric Medicine
• Pharmacology
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Adverse drug events (ADEs) significantly impact older adults' health and healthcare costs.
• Optimizing medication prescribing and deprescribing can mitigate ADEs.
• Interdisciplinary geriatric virtual consultation services offer a novel approach to medication management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the prescribing outcomes of a virtual interdisciplinary geriatric specialist program (MOVING).
• To assess changes in total prescriptions, polypharmacy, and specific medication classes before and after the intervention.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective, before-and-after feasibility study of the MOVING program (June-December 2018).
• Involved geriatric clinical pharmacology, pharmacy, and psychiatry expertise for adults aged 65+.
• Primary outcomes: total distinct prescriptions and polypharmacy (≥4 medications). Secondary outcomes: as-needed prescriptions, Beers/STOPP criteria, psychotropics, opioids, and diabetic medications.

Main Results:

• 40 patients (mean age 80.6 years) were included.
• No significant change in the mean total number of prescriptions per patient (p=0.07).
• Statistically significant decreases in as-needed prescriptions (p<0.001) and potentially inappropriate medications per Beers (p=0.002) and STOPP (p<0.001) criteria were observed.

Conclusions:

• The MOVING model effectively reduces prescriptions for potentially inappropriate medications in older adults.
• Findings suggest the MOVING model's potential to improve medication safety and warrants further health system impact evaluation.