Publication
Title
Drug utilization in Belgian nursing homes: impact of residents' and institutional characteristics
Author
Abstract
Purpose This study aims to investigate drug utilization in Belgian nursing homes in relation to the characteristics of residents and the institution. Methods A cross-sectional study design was used. A total of 2510 residents were randomly selected from a stratified random sample of 76 Belgian nursing homes with at least 30 beds, including high-intensity care beds. Data collection was based on medical chart review supplemented with clinical information from general practitioners (GPs) Results The residents included had a mean age of 85 and 77% were female. They presented a median of 2 clinical problems (range 010), three care problems (range 010) and 48% had dementia. Their medical consumption amounted to a mean of 8.4 prescriptions including 7.1 for chronic treatment. Mean expenditure per month for chronic medication was 140 EUR (SD 125), including 53 EUR out-of-pocket payment. This study confirmed that multiple comorbidity was associated with polypharmacy. After peaking in the seventh decade, medical consumption decreased in older age groups. In palliative care, the number of prescriptions decreased while expenditure increased. A marked decrease in prescriptions, particularly of pain-relieving medication, was observed with increasing dementia. Larger public institutions, with an active coordinating physician and served by hospital pharmacists, had lower consumption and expenditure. Conclusion A high level of drug utilization, influenced by the characteristics of residents and the institution, was observed in Belgian nursing homes. There is a need to develop a comprehensive monitoring system of prescribing quality for nursing home residents.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Pharmacoepidemiology and drug safety. - Chichester, 1992, currens
Publication
Chichester : 2010
ISSN
1053-8569
DOI
10.1002/PDS.1983
Volume/pages
19 :10 (2010) , p. 1041-1048
ISI
000283202300007
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 04.02.2011
Last edited 23.08.2022
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