Journal article
Use of a fall risk evaluation in a community-based pharmacy
Journal of the American Pharmacists Association, Vol.60(3), pp.S91-S96
05/01/2020
DOI: 10.1016/j.japh.2020.01.016
PMID: 32144079
Abstract
Background: Falls in older adults are a serious public health concern. They increase health care expenditure and account for more than $30 billion in direct medical costs. Medication-related problems can contribute to fall risk, and community-based pharmacists are well positioned to intervene, given their role in monitoring ongoing medications.
Objectives: To evaluate the integration of a fall risk screening assessment (i.e., Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths, and Injuries [STEADI]) into community pharmacy practice and to report on the targeted medication management interventions that pharmacists made for patients aged 50 years or older with a fall risk potential.
Practice description: A service-oriented independent pharmacy in the Midwest United States that uses an in-house clinical software program to perform a prospective drug utilization review and document clinical interventions.
Practice innovation: A 3-item STEADI fall risk screening assessment was administered from October 15, 2018, to January 31, 2019, to 311 pharmacy patrons aged 50 years or older taking high-risk medications.
Evaluation: For those with a positive screen for fall risk, the 12-item STEADI fall risk assessment was administered. A pharmacist performed a comprehensive medication review (CMR) for these patients. Education and medication recommendations were provided.
Results: Fifty-three patients (17%) responded "Yes" to at least 1 prescreening question. The mean total STEADI fall risk score was 5.7 out of 12. The most commonly reported STEADI item was a worry regarding falling (75.5%) and sometimes feeling unsteady when walking (67.9%). Education regarding falls was provided to all the patients who received the study CMR, but only 6 medication changes were made to the prescribers, of which 4 were accepted.
Conclusion: The STEADI assessment was useful in identifying patients who were potentially at a risk of falls. More work pertaining to deprescribing high-risk medications for at-risk patients seems to be needed. (C) 2020 American Pharmacists Association (R). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Use of a fall risk evaluation in a community-based pharmacy
- Creators
- Kayla M. Hughes - Albertson Co, Jewel Osco Div, Bloomington, IL 61704 USAMatthew J. Witry - University of IowaWilliam R. Doucette - University of IowaStevie R. Veach - University of IowaRandy P. McDonough - Towncrest Pharm, Iowa City, IA USA
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Journal of the American Pharmacists Association, Vol.60(3), pp.S91-S96
- Publisher
- Elsevier
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.japh.2020.01.016
- PMID
- 32144079
- ISSN
- 1544-3191
- eISSN
- 1544-3450
- Number of pages
- 6
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 05/01/2020
- Academic Unit
- Pharmacy Practice and Science; Internal Medicine
- Record Identifier
- 9984359864102771
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