Category: Federal Forum Posters
Purpose: Healthcare associated falls are an important, ongoing concern associated with increased morbidity and mortality, length of hospital stays and healthcare costs. Inpatient rehabilitation settings present particular risks, due to the emphasis placed on increasing activity levels and mobility. The medications prescribed at the time of a fall are important, since medications are a significant modifiable risk factor for falls. Additionally, the use of anticoagulant and antiplatelet medications increases the risk of bleeding after a fall. Currently, there are limited available data that describes prescribing patterns of fall-risk, anticoagulant and antiplatelet medications surrounding falls in inpatient rehabilitation settings.
Methods: This single-center, retrospective, descriptive-analysis study analyzes the prescribing patterns of fall-risk, anticoagulant and antiplatelet medications surrounding falls in an inpatient rehabilitation setting. Patients with documented falls while admitted to a Veterans Affairs Community Living Center (CLC) between October 1st, 2011 to February 25th, 2017 will be included in the study. Electronic health records will be reviewed to determine the fall-risk, anticoagulant and antiplatelet medications that were prescribed at the time of the fall. Further chart review will be completed to determine what changes were made to these medications within a period of seven days prior to and seven days after the fall. The following will be collected for each medication of interest: medication class, start date, home versus admission start, prescription directions, administration details, and the category of medication change(s), if applicable. Categories of medication changes include discontinuation, increased dose, decreased dose and new start. A univariate analysis will be completed to determine frequency distribution. Results will be used to describe prescribing patterns in an inpatient rehabilitation unit and educate healthcare providers.
Results: not applicable
Conclusion: not applicable
Melissa Graham
– PGY1 Pharmacy Resident, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, MI129 Views