Can an educational program for residents of assisted living facilities improve drug utilization for osteoporosis?
OBJECTIVE
To examine the utilization of medications for prevention or treatment of osteoporosis in assisted living facilities and to determine the effect of an educational program for residents on changes in the use of osteoporosis medications.


METHODS
Assisted living facilities.


METHODS
All residents living in 21 assisted living facilities.


METHODS
Assisted living facilities were randomized into an intervention or control group. The intervention group received an education program on osteoporosis. The control group received usual care. Drug utilization for prevention or treatment of osteoporosis was determined before the intervention and at two and six months post-intervention.


METHODS
Drug use before and after the educational program.


RESULTS
Of 1,284 residents, only 17% were receiving prescription medication for prevention or treatment of osteoporosis, and only 4.6% of residents were receiving calcium supplementation. The educational intervention did not alter osteoporosis drug use over a six-month period.


CONCLUSIONS
A single educational program for residents of assisted living facilities did not improve drug therapy use.
Virginia Commonwealth University School of Pharmacy, Richmond, Virginia 23298-0533, USA. jeff.delafuente@vcu.edu
Jeffrey C
JC
Delafuente
Diane F
DF
Weakley