Potentially inappropriate prescribing in older residents in Irish nursing homes

• DOI: 10.1093/ageing/afs068
• Publication Date: 2012-07-24T20:50:03Z
• Authors: C. Ryan; D. O'Mahony; J. Kennedy; P. Weedle; E. Cottrell; M. Heffernan; B. O'Mahony; S. Byrne
• Keywords: Male; 610; Inappropriate Prescribing; Nursing Homes; 3. Good health; 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; Prevalence; Humans; Female; Practice Patterns, Physicians'; Ireland; Aged

Background: STOPP/START was formulated to identify potentially inappropriate prescribing (PIP) and potential omissions (PPOs) in older people. The purpose of this study determine the prevalence PIP PPO Irish patients residential care using STOPP/START. Methods: data were collected prospectively from seven publicly funded nursing homes within Munster Region Ireland over 3 weeks. Data recorded included: current medication, medical conditions, previous biochemistry, sex age. applied each patient record. Results: 313 recruited, 74.4% (233) female, mean age (±SD) 84.4 (±7.5) years. total number medicines prescribed 2,555 [range: 1–16; median: 8 (IQR 6–10 )]. STOPP identified 329 instances 187 (59.8%) START 199 PPOs 132 (42.2%) patients. positively associated with by (rs = 0.303, P < 0.01). Age, not START. Conclusions: a high proportion recruited at least one medicine, or had an omission clinically indicated medicine. Incorporating these tools into every-day practice could play pivotal role improving cohort.