Abstract
Background Data is lacking on the characteristics of drug-related problems in Chinese elderly inpatients and the impacts of clinical pharmacy activities in the geriatric ward in China. Objective To describe the nature of drug-related problems in elderly inpatients based on the Pharmaceutical Care Network Europe classification, and identify the correlates of the drug-related problems. Setting Geriatric ward of a tertiary hospital in Beijing, China. Method Pharmacists reviewed medication orders over a 12-month period with drug-related problems and interventions documented. Drug-related problems were categorized respectively according to the Pharmaceutical Care Network Europe classification. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was carried out to determine factors associated with drug-related problems. Main outcome measure The causes, interventions proposed and risk factors of potential drug-related problems. Results A total of 335 interventions associated with possible drug-related problems for 184 older patients were recorded. The incidence of patients experiencing at least one drug-related problem was 34.5%. Drug therapy problems were most commonly classified within the treatment effectiveness domain. Drug selection accounted for most cause of possible drug-related problems. The most common intervention was starting a drug and the acceptance rate was 91.9%. The factors associated with drug-related problems were the number of prescribed medications, Charlson Comorbidity Index and length of stay (P < 0.05). Conclusion Drug-related problems are common in elderly inpatients. Clinical pharmacy service is necessary to the optimization of drug therapy in older inpatients.
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We would like to thank Department of Geriatric Medicine, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing in which the study was carried out.
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Ma, Z., Sun, S., Zhang, C. et al. Characteristics of drug-related problems and pharmacists’ interventions in a geriatric unit in China. Int J Clin Pharm 43, 270–274 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11096-020-01128-8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11096-020-01128-8