title: Use of potentially inappropriate drugs in nursing homes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine patterns and determine predictors of inappropriate drug use in nursing homes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective study.
  
  
  METHODS
  One thousand four hundred ninety-two nursing homes in five states.
  
  
  METHODS
  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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, USA.
authors.forename: Jyotsna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dhall
authors.forename: E Paul
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Larrat
authors.forename: Kate L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Lapane
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016208:Databases, Factual; D017723:Drug Utilization Review; D005260:Female; D006707:Homes for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009735:Nursing Homes