title: Content validation of a tool for assessing risks for drug-related problems to be used by practical nurses caring for home-dwelling clients aged ≥65 years: a Delphi survey.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Home care services are becoming a critically important part of health care delivery as populations are aging. Those using home care services are increasingly older, more frail than previously, and use multiple medications, making them vulnerable to drug-related problems (DRPs). Practical nurses (PN) visit home-dwelling aged clients frequently and, thus, are ideally situated to identify potential DRPs and, if needed, to communicate them to physicians for resolution. This study developed and validated the content of a tool to be used by PNs for assessing DRP risks for their home-dwelling clients aged ≥65 years.
  
  
  METHODS
  The first draft of the tool was based on two systematic literature reviews and clinical experience of our research group. Content validity of the tool was determined by a three-round Delphi survey with a panel of 18 experts in geriatric care and pharmacotherapy. An agreement by ≥80% of the panel on an item was required.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The final tool consists of 18 items that assess risks for DRPs in home-dwelling aged clients. It is divided into four sections: (1) Basic Client Data, (2) Potential Risks for DRPs in Medication Use, (3) Characteristics of the Client's Care and Adherence, and (4) Recommendations for Actions to Resolve DRPs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Delphi process resulted in a structured DRP Risk Assessment Tool that is focused on the highest priority DRPs that should be identified and resolved. The tool also assists the PNs to identify solutions to these problems, which is a unique feature compared to similarly purposed prior tools.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Pharmacy Group, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, PL 56 (Viikinkaari 9C), 00014, Helsinki, Finland, maarit.dimitrow@helsinki.fi.
authors.forename: Maarit S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Dimitrow
authors.forename: Sanna I
authors.initials: SI
authors.lastname: Mykkänen
authors.forename: Saija N S
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Leikola
authors.forename: Sirkka-Liisa
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Kivelä
authors.forename: Alan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lyles
authors.forename: Marja S A
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Airaksinen
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003697:Delphi Technique; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006699:Home Care Services; D006801:Humans; D055118:Medication Adherence; D009726:Nurses; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods*