Clinical Trial: Rationalisation of Polypharmacy by the Geriatric Consultation Team

Study Status: Completed
Recruit Status: Completed
Study Type: Interventional

Official Title: Rationalisation of Polypharmacy by the Geriatric Consultation Team Using the RASP List: a Pilot Study

Brief Summary:

Polypharmacy is a common problem in elderly, leading among others to increased adverse drug events. The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate whether a systematic medication evaluation by a geriatric consultation team using the RASP (Rationalisation of drugs on admission by an adjusted STOPP*-list in older patients) list could reduce inappropriate prescribing for elderly admitted patients, admitted to non-geriatric departments.

(* = Screening Tool of Older Persons' potentially inappropriate Prescriptions)


Detailed Summary:

Polypharmacy and (potentially) inappropriate prescribing is highly prevalent in the older population, associated with increase health care expenditures, morbidity and avoidable adverse events .

The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate whether a systematic medication evaluation by a geriatric consultation team (GCT) using the RASP (Rationalisation of drugs on admission by an adjusted STOPP-list in older patients) list could reduce inappropriate prescribing for older admitted patients, admitted to non-geriatric departments. The GCT could offer the ideal format to deliver the intervention to a broad older hospitalised population.


Sponsor: Universitaire Ziekenhuizen Leuven

Current Primary Outcome: Number of medication-related recommendations by the geriatric consultation team. [ Time Frame: The number was ascertained at time of discharge from the ward, taking into account an average hospital stay of 14 days. ]

Original Primary Outcome: Same as current

Current Secondary Outcome:

  • Number of potentially inappropriate drugs at discharge, as identified by the RASP list. [ Time Frame: The number was ascertained at time of discharge from the ward, taking into account an average hospital stay of 14 days. ]
  • Number of drugs at discharge, relative to the drugs on admission. [ Time Frame: The number was ascertained at time of discharge from the ward, taking into account an average hospital stay of 14 days. ]
  • Acceptance rate of the GCT interventions by the treating physician. [ Time Frame: Up to 72 hours after the GCT had given its recommendations. ]


Original Secondary Outcome: Same as current

Information By: Universitaire Ziekenhuizen Leuven

Dates:
Date Received: May 26, 2014
Date Started: January 2014
Date Completion:
Last Updated: June 13, 2014
Last Verified: May 2014