Development and Clinical Use of Assessment Indicators for Improving Medication Adherence of Elderly Residents in Nursing Home

BACKGROUND: South Korea is rapidly being an aging-society and the demand of long-term care insurance services for elderly patients is rising. In addition, because the elderly taking multiple medicines, the adherence is lowered and the adverse events are easily occurred. Therefore, many are interested in introducing the geriatric pharmacy specialist to manage this situation. PURPOSE: By applying a similar program such as the geriatric pharmacy specialist working in nursing home, we conducted this study to evaluate the potential contribution to both the health insurance services and financial savings for the elderly patients. METHODS: We conducted a trial in an elderly nursing home to collaborate between doctor and pharmacist making a checklist for improving medication adherence and establish a consultation system. Also we applied a smart phone application in the pharmaceutical care processes. RESULTS: Thereby completing the drug therapy related checklist apply to nursing facilities in South Korea. And we got a performance that improves medication adherence when used in the clinical practice settings. CONCLUSION: By introducing a training program of pharmacy care managers and geriatric professionals such as the United States and Japan, we revealed the elderly nursing home residents and vulnerable elderly people living alone were improved the medication adherence and it will contributed to the health and quality of life of the patients.

Evaluation of Clinical Pharmacy Training for Adverse Drug Events Based on Japan Pharmaceutical Association Drug Information / 医薬品情報学

<b>Objective: </b>Collection of the latest information for appropriate and safe drug use is clinically essential, and the “Japan Pharmaceutical Association Drug Information” (JPADI) is a useful source.  We prepared a text on the basis of JPADI for undergraduates to learn adverse drug events (ADEs).  The objective of this study was to report the outcomes of our educational plan and student perspectives regarding the management of ADEs.<br><b>Methods: </b>We provided 20 students with a self-study text for ADEs, including ADE reports, relief services by the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency, and pharmacist medication errors.  Case reports were categorized by disease discipline. Students were administered a questionnaire regarding their evaluation and interest regions of our text, the significance of relief services, and roles of drug information specialist.<br><b>Results: </b>Fifteen students (75%) completed the questionnaire.  Interest regions were pharmacist medication errors (<i>n</i>=9), systemic and multi-organ disorders (<i>n</i>=9), and cardiovascular disorders (<i>n</i>=5).  We received comments such as “these errors are experiences creating cascades for the prevention of recurrence” (<i>n</i>=2).  In terms of relief services, “expenses relief ” (<i>n</i>=4) as a merit and “vagueness of relief standards” (<i>n</i>=4) as a demerit were provided.  Roles of drug information specialist included “provide easy-to-understand drug information to patients” (<i>n</i>=4) and “share with other medical staff ” (<i>n</i>=2).  No specific improvements for the text were suggested.<br><b>Conclusion: </b>Our educational plan using a self-study text based on drug information is useful for developing student responsibility and expertise for becoming pharmacist.