[Tools for optimizing pharmacotherapy for geriatric patients with multimorbidity at the end of life: helpful oder just raising awareness?].
Pharmacotherapy for end-of-life patients with multimorbidity is a major challenge. Estimating prognosis can be much more difficult when compared to patients suffering from cancer alone.Nevertheless, it is crucial in order to prescribe in the context of the following determining factors: disease, co-morbidities, functional status, life expectancy and therapy goals.Since such patients are prone to adverse drug reactions, inappropriate prescriptions should be avoided, since evidence concerning the benefits or risks for various drugs used is as yet inadequate.Several tools can be of help to improve pharmacotherapy for this vulnerable group of patients.
Palliativstation, Krankenhaus der Barmherzigen Schwestern, Schlossberg 1, 4910, Ried im Innkreis, Österreich, renate.riesinger@BHS.at.
Renate
R
Riesinger
Bernhard
B
Iglseder
D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000465:Algorithms; D001317:Austria; D001364:Awareness; D015897:Comorbidity; D004333:Drug Administration Routes; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination / Q000941:ethics* / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006707:Homes for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D059065:Medication Reconciliation / Q000941:ethics / Q000379:methods*; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009735:Nursing Homes; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000941:ethics / Q000379:methods*; D010348:Patient Care Team; D011379:Prognosis; D011788:Quality of Life; D013727:Terminal Care / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome