Abstract
Background
Nursing Home (NH) residents are elderly subjects characterized by physical or mental disorders that often lead to permanent disability. The number of elderly individuals is constantly increasing in the Western world, with significant implications in terms of health assistance needs and expenditure.
Objective
To estimate the health expenditure allocated to NH and to identify how to reduce costs meanwhile improving services.
Methods
An observational study was conducted between January and December 2011 in 25 NHs, and involved 2010 elderly residents, assisted by the Local Health Authority No. 9, Treviso, Italy. For each patient, cost of hospitalizations, specialist visits, drug prescriptions and medical devices were collected and analysed.
Results
Costs for the assistance of elderly NH residents were different if the NHs were counselled by a pharmacist or not. The pharmacist intervention can yield important savings for the NHs participating in the project.
Conclusion
The collaboration between pharmacist and medical doctors/nurses improves the therapeutic appropriateness of treatments for elderly NH residents, with a positive budget impact.
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Franchin, G., Bolcato, J., Caparrotta, L. et al. Il farmacista clinico nelle residenze socio-assistenziali per anziani: studio di budget impact. G Ital Health Technol Assess 6, 49–54 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40269-013-0005-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40269-013-0005-1