Prevalence of preventable medication-related hospitalizations in Australia: an opportunity to reduce harm

• DOI: 10.1093/intqhc/mzs015
• Publication Date: 2012-04-12T05:04:06Z
• Authors: L. M. Kalisch; G. E. Caughey; J. D. Barratt; E. N. Ramsay; G. Killer; A. L. Gilbert; E. E. Roughead
• Keywords: Male; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; adverse event; Cohort Studies; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive; 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; Thromboembolism; Prevalence; Humans; Aged; Retrospective Studies; Veterans; Aged, 80 and over; Depression; Australia; quality indicators; health care; Asthma; 3. Good health; Hospitalization; hospital admission; drug-induced disease; Female

To identify the prevalence of potentially preventable medication-related hospitalizations amongst elderly Australian veterans by applying clinical indicators to administrative claims data. Retrospective cohort study in veteran population from 1 January 2004 31 December 2008. A total 109 044 with one or more defined indicator set, during 5-year period. The as a proportion all set. During period, there were 630 008 hospital admissions which 216 527 (13.3%) for conditions set veterans. overall was 20.3% (n= 43 963). Of included study, 28 (25.7%) had at least hospitalization and 7245 (6.6%) two admissions. Conditions both high preventability asthma/chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, depression thromboembolic cerebrovascular event (23.3, 18.5 18.3%, respectively, preventable). Other that less common but level (at 20%) hip fracture, impaction, renal failure, acute confusion, bipolar disorder hyperkalaemia. results this highlight those where could be avoided through improved medication management. Strategies increase awareness, identification resolution these problems contributing are required Australia.