RESUMO
STUDY OBJECTIVES: To examine patterns and determine predictors of inappropriate drug use in nursing homes. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: One thousand four hundred ninety-two nursing homes in five states. PATIENTS: A total of 44,562 residents admitted to nursing homes over 1 year. METHODS: Frequency of discontinuation and initiation of potentially inappropriate drugs over the first 90 days after admission to a nursing home was calculated. Data were collected using the minimum data set. RESULTS: On admission, 33% of residents were receiving at least one potentially inappropriate drug. After 90 days, the drug was discontinued in 16% of these residents. Of those not receiving a potentially inappropriate drug on admission, one was begun in 18%. Demographic factors and number of drugs taken by patients were associated with the use of potentially inappropriate drugs. CONCLUSIONS; Use of potentially inappropriate drugs was prevalent on admission and at 90 days after admission. Discontinuation was highest among patients with conditions for which potentially safer therapeutic alternatives existed.
