Multidisciplinary intervention to identify and resolve drug-related problems in Norwegian nursing homes.
OBJECTIVE
To describe an innovative team intervention to identify and resolve DRPs (drug-related problems) in Norwegian nursing homes.


METHODS
Descriptive intervention study. Setting. Three nursing homes in Bergen, Norway.


METHODS
A total of 142 long-term care patients (106 women, mean age 86.9 years).


RESULTS
Systematic medication reviews performed by pharmacists in 142 patients revealed altogether 719 DRPs, of which 504 were acknowledged by the patients' physician and nurses, and 476 interventions were completed. "Unnecessary drug" and "Monitoring required" were the most frequently identified DRPs. Drugs for treating the nervous system and the alimentary tract and metabolism were most commonly questioned.


CONCLUSIONS
The multidisciplinary team intervention was suitable to identify and resolve drug-related problems in nursing home settings. Systematic medication reviews and involvement of pharmacists in clinical teams should therefore be implemented on a regular basis to achieve and maintain high-quality drug therapy.
Halvorsen
Kjell H
KH
Section for General Practice, Department of Public Health and Primary Health Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway. kjell.halvorsen@isf.uib.no
Ruths
Sabine
S
Granas
Anne Gerd
AG
Viktil
Kirsten K
KK
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004347:Drug Interactions; D016903:Drug Monitoring; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004358:Drug Therapy / Q000592:standards; D017723:Drug Utilization Review; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D005260:Female; D005851:Geriatric Nursing / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D008297:Male; D009664:Norway; D009735:Nursing Homes; D010348:Patient Care Team; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage; D010595:Pharmacists; D019338:Polypharmacy; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D000078329:Workforce
D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations