Antihypertensive drug use in the long-term care facility: a pilot study and review of the literature.
The overuse and cost of drugs in long-term care facilities are of significant concern. To quantify potential overuse of antihypertensive agents, we conducted a retrospective chart review in four long-term care facilities. We analyzed data in 550 patient records to identify residents receiving drugs for the sole indication of hypertension. Of the 550 records, 49 (9%) residents qualified. Of these, 20 (41%) had all recorded blood pressures less than 140/90 mm Hg for the 6 months before review, and 32 (65%) had all blood pressures less than 160/90 mm Hg. Given this degree of blood pressure control and the reported success of withdrawing antihypertensive drugs from the elderly in whom the disorder is well controlled, a reevaluation of antihypertensive therapy in residents of long-term care facilities appears to be justified.
Fish
J T
JT
Department of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics, Madison, USA.
Guay
D R
DR
Straka
R J
RJ
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000191:economics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D016527:Drug Costs; D017723:Drug Utilization Review; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D008134:Long-Term Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D008910:Minnesota; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012112:Residential Facilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents