Screening for Medication Appropriateness in Older Adults

Andrew R Zullo; Shelly L Gray; Holly M Holmes; Zachary A Marcum

doi:10.1016/j.cger.2017.09.003

Screening for Medication Appropriateness in Older Adults

Clin Geriatr Med. 2018 Feb;34(1):39-54. doi: 10.1016/j.cger.2017.09.003. Epub 2017 Oct 14.

Authors

Andrew R Zullo¹, Shelly L Gray², Holly M Holmes³, Zachary A Marcum⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Health Services, Policy, and Practice, Brown University School of Public Health, 121 South Main Street, Providence, RI 02912, USA.
² Department of Pharmacy, University of Washington, School of Pharmacy, 1959 Northeast Pacific Street, Box 357630, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.
³ Division of Geriatric and Palliative Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, McGovern Medical School, 6431 Fannin Street, MSB 5.116, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
⁴ Department of Pharmacy, University of Washington, School of Pharmacy, 1959 Northeast Pacific Street, Box 357630, Seattle, WA 98195, USA. Electronic address: zmarcum@uw.edu.

Abstract

Older adults are at high risk for inappropriate medication use given their myriad medical conditions and medications. Screening efforts may seem overwhelming, but starting with a focused approach and leveraging a team-based strategy can help practicing clinicians gain initial momentum. Future research is needed to strengthen the evidence base for medication use in older adults and to elucidate effective and scalable interventions to improve medication safety.

Keywords: Deprescribing; Elderly; Geriatrics; Inappropriate prescribing; Polypharmacy.

Publication types

Review
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

Aged
Evidence-Based Practice / methods
Humans
Inappropriate Prescribing / adverse effects
Inappropriate Prescribing / prevention & control*
Medication Therapy Management / organization & administration*
Polypharmacy*

Abstract

Publication types

MeSH terms

Grants and funding