ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this paper is a complex evaluation of clients medication in the geriatric care facility Domov Vlčí mák (DVM) with regard to the most common drug related risk factors in elderly. The paper shows ways of identification, resolution and prevention of drug related problems from the perspective of a clinical pharmacist. METHODS: The medication was evaluated in 74 DVM clients. The sample consisted of 45 women (61 %) and 29 men (39 %) with an average age of 90 years. The project took place in the period from April to June 2020. Patients pharmacotherapy was graded as low, medium or high risk in accordance with the methodology and concept of clinical pharmaceutical care in the Czech Republic developed by the Czech Professional Society of Clinical Pharmacy ČLS JEP. For all clients, medication was also assessed in terms of the risk of falls. RESULTS: There was a total of 62 (84 %) high, 4 (5 %) medium and 8 (11 %) low risk clients. A plan for medication adjustments was proposed for a total of 67 clients in the form of pharmacotherapeutic recommendations. A total of 170 drug related problems was identified and pharmacotherapeutic intervention was performed. The most common problem (in 42 % of cases) was a missing drug in terms of effective therapy. Medication discontinuation was recommended in 33 % of cases, mainly due to the risk of side effects, missing indications or drug necessity. Inadequate dosing was found in 15 % of cases, usually it was recommended to reduce the dose to the so-called “senior dose”. In 6 % of cases laboratory testing was indicated and in 4 % of cases timing of the drug administration was changed. CONCLUSION: Identified drug related problems did not represent major errors that could endanger the quality or safety of the healthcare provided. One of the reasons for the good outcome is an established multidisciplinary cooperation in this facility.
