Prescripción inadecuada de medicamentos en ancianos hospitalizados según criterios de Beers / Inadequate prescription of medications in hospitalised elderly patients according to Beers criteria

Objetivo: Estimar la prevalencia de utilización de medicamentos potencialmente inadecuados en la población anciana ingresada en el Hospital Nuestra Señora de Sonsoles de Ávila según criterios de Beers y describir el impacto sobre su prescripción tras una intervención educacional sobre los prescriptores. Método Estudio observacional antes y después, con 2 periodos de 28 días cada uno (P1 en 2008 y P2 en 2009) entre los cuales se realizaron actividades de difusión de los criterios de Beers. Se incluyeron todos los pacientes>65 años ingresados durante ambos periodos en unidades con sistema de distribución de medicamentos en dosis unitaria recogiendo los datos de aquellos con prescripción inadecuada. Resultados El número total de pacientes ingresados fue de 1.276: el 18,5% tenía al menos un medicamento inadecuado en el P1 y 20,5% en P2, sin diferencias significativas (χ2=0,56; p=0,45). Se identificaron un total de 295 medicamentos inadecuados (163 en P1 y 132 en P2) en 249 pacientes. El 70% de las prescripciones inadecuadas contienen: sulfato ferroso, digoxina, meperidina y doxazosina. No se modificó la prevalencia de prescripción inadecuada de medicamentos entre los períodos. Conclusión La prevalencia de utilización de medicamentos potencialmente inadecuados encontrada es el estudio es del 23% sin modificarse tras la intervención realizada (AU)

Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of using potentially inadequate drugs in the elderly population admitted to the Nuestra Señora de Sonsoles Hospital in Ávila according to Beerscriteria, and to describe the impacts on these prescriptions following an educational seminar for prescribers. Method: Before and after observational study, with two periods of 28 days each (P1 in 2008, P2in 2009), with educational seminars on Beers criteria provided between them. All patients >65years that were admitted during both time periods in health centres with a single dose drug system were included, taking data on those with inadequate prescriptions. Results: The total number of hospitalised patients was 1276. Of these, 18.5% had at least one inadequate medication at P1 and 20.5% at P2, with no significant differences ( 2 = 0.56, P=.45).We identified a total of 295 inadequate medications (163 in P1 and 132 in P2) in 249 patients. Iron sulfate, digoxin, meperidine, and doxazosine were present in 70% of inadequate prescriptions. The prevalence of inadequate medication prescriptions did not vary between the two periods. Conclusion: The prevalence of using potentially inadequate medications observed in this study was 23%, with no changes produced by the intervention provided (AU)

[Inadequate prescription of medications in hospitalised elderly patients according to Beers criteria]. / Prescripción inadecuada de medicamentos en ancianos hospitalizados según criterios de Beers.

OBJECTIVES: To estimate the prevalence of using potentially inadequate drugs in the elderly population admitted to the Nuestra Señora de Sonsoles Hospital in Ávila according to Beers criteria, and to describe the impacts on these prescriptions following an educational seminar for prescribers. METHOD: Before and after observational study, with two periods of 28 days each (P1 in 2008, P2 in 2009), with educational seminars on Beers criteria provided between them. All patients >65 years that were admitted during both time periods in health centres with a single dose drug system were included, taking data on those with inadequate prescriptions. RESULTS: The total number of hospitalised patients was 1276. Of these, 18.5% had at least one inadequate medication at P1 and 20.5% at P2, with no significant differences (χ2=0.56, P=.45). We identified a total of 295 inadequate medications (163 in P1 and 132 in P2) in 249 patients. Iron sulfate, digoxin, meperidine, and doxazosine were present in 70% of inadequate prescriptions. The prevalence of inadequate medication prescriptions did not vary between the two periods. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of using potentially inadequate medications observed in this study was 23%, with no changes produced by the intervention provided.