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Bevan Exemplar Cohort 9 projects

Does a Detailed Medication Review from a Clinical Care Home Pharmacist, Improve Patient Outcomes and Reduce Waste in Nursing Homes?

Elizabeth Hallett

Aneurin Bevan University Health Board

Context

80% of people over 75 years have at least one medication and more than a third take four or more medication . These figures significantly rise in care home residents as they are often frailer with several co morbidities leading to polypharmacy. This is linked to negative clinical outcomes such as falls, drug interactions, cognitive impairment and drug related hospital admissions.

The frequency of medication reviews should be based on the health and care needs of the resident, with safety and efficacy being of paramount importance. The interval between reviews should not be greater than 1 year

The Project

Aims to measure the impact of a dedicated clinical pharmacist completing care home medication reviews to asses if this improves medication safety and patient outcomes, whilst reducing medication waste and its environmental impact.

How this will be achieved?

To complete structured medication reviews in ABUHB Nursing Homes over a 6-month period. All actions will be recorded and measured including:

  • high-risk drug interventions,
  • concordance and compliance queries,
  • cost-effective drug switches,
  • drugs stopped ,started, optimised and formulation changes.
  • Changes in ACB score
  • Savings
  • Improve resident and care staff knowledge of medication and its management

A follow up will occur after 6 months to review any further outcomes.