Minding the gap-an examination of a pharmacist case management medicines optimisation intervention for older people in intermediate care settings

Background: Whilst attention has been paid within the literature to examining potentially inappropriate prescribing (PIP) for older adults in a variety of care settings, less is known about the extent within intermediate care. Furthermore, few studies have examined the utility of clinical pharmacist involvement in this care context. Objective(s): Determine the prevalence of PIP in intermediate care (IC) settings in Northern Ireland (NI), explore the utility of a novel pharmacist case management model at reducing PIP and to examine the association with subsequent healthcare utilisation. Methods: Secondary analysis of prospective data (N = 532) collected during a medicines optimisation pharmacist case management model in three intermediate care sites in NI. Independent prescriber pharmacists delivered the intervention. Variability in Medication Appropriateness Index score change (ΔMAI) from admission to discharge was examined using multivariate linear regression analysis. Multivariate logistic and Poisson regressions were used to examine the association between ΔMAI and likelihood and numbers of unplanned hospital readmissions within 30 and 90 days of IC discharge. Results: PIP was highly prevalent (89.5%) at baseline with significant reductions in MAI score achieved from admission (Median = 14) to discharge (Median = 0) (Z = −18.28, p < .001). The prevalence of PIP at discharge was 7.8%. No relationship was observed between ΔMAI score and unplanned hospital readmission. Those who received at least one educational intervention were less likely to be readmitted within 30 days of IC discharge (OR = 0.15, 95% CI 0.03, 0.71, p < .001). Baseline healthcare utilisation consistently predicted healthcare utilisation post-IC discharge. Conclusions: Drug-related problems persist for many older adults following acute care discharge and intermediate care may provide an ideal location for medicines optimisation interventions.