title: Application of a prescribing indicators tool to assist in identifying drug-related problems in a cohort of older Australians.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Drug-related problems (DRPs) are common in older people, resulting in a disproportionate number of serious medication adverse events. Pharmacist-led interventions have been shown to be effective in identifying and reducing DRPs such as medication interactions, omission of recommended medications and use of ineffective medications. In 2008 we proposed a prescribing indicators tool to assist in identifying DRPs as part of the Australian medication review process. The objective was to apply the proposed prescribing indicators tool to a cohort of older Australians, to assess its use in detecting potential DRPs.
  
  
  METHODS
  The prescribing indicators tool was applied in a cross-sectional observational study to 126 older (aged ≥65 years) English-speaking Australians taking five or more medications, as they were being discharged from a small private hospital into the community. Indicators were unmet when prescribing did not adhere to indicator tool guidelines.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found a high incidence of under-treatment, and use of inappropriate medications. There were on average 18 applicable indicators per patient, with each patient having on average seven unmet indicators.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of a prescribing indicators tool for commonly used medications and common medical conditions in older Australians may contribute to the efficient identification of DRPs.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Pharmacy, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia. ben.basger@sydney.edu.au
authors.forename: Benjamin J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Basger
authors.forename: Timothy F
authors.initials: TF
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Rebekah J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Moles
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001315:Australia; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004347:Drug Interactions; D004363:Drug Utilization; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D057970:Inappropriate Prescribing; D008297:Male