title: Introduction of the Pill Pruner to acute medical care: a simple medication guide to control polypharmacy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the effect of a simple medication guide (the Pill Pruner) on the number of regular medications taken by older patients following medical admission.
  
  
  METHODS
  In July 2009, following introduction of the Pill Pruner, we audited 500 consecutive older patients, recording the number of regular medications being taken on admission and discharge. Safety data included 90-day mortality and readmission rates. Medication numbers were compared to a similar audit undertaken in September 2008 and to a repeat audit in December 2009.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean number of medications on admission (± SD) was 6.3 ± 3 versus 6.5 ± 3 at discharge (P = 0.13). Number of discharge medications was decreased compared to September 2008 (7.7 ± 4; P = 0.001) but similar to that for the repeat audit. No change in mortality or readmission rate was seen.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Use of the Pill Pruner reduced the number of regular medications prescribed to older patients without affecting safety.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Medicine, Christchurch Hospital, Christchurch, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Jenny H C
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Chieng
authors.forename: Leighanne
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hughes
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Stewart
authors.forename: Christopher M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Frampton
authors.forename: H Carl
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Hanger
authors.forename: David L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Jardine
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004347:Drug Interactions; D017723:Drug Utilization Review; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D016330:Frail Elderly; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008485:Medical Audit; D008508:Medication Errors / Q000517:prevention & control; D059065:Medication Reconciliation; D054539:Medication Therapy Management; D010343:Patient Admission; D010351:Patient Discharge; D010359:Patient Readmission; D010607:Pharmacy Service, Hospital / Q000379:methods*; D019338:Polypharmacy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors
keywords: adverse drug events; medication guide; polypharmacy