2010 Award Finalist

Medication Management Support Services- Keeping Seniors Healthy and Safe

Category - Improving Safety

The Problem

An ongoing issue in the care of seniors involves medications. A great number of seniors are prescribed many different medications, but given too little support when it comes to managing those medications. As a result, there are problems with adverse drug events, ER visits and hospitalization as a result of those events, non adherence to prescription instructions, and money wasted on unused medications.

The Innovation

Medication Management Support Services (MMSS) was implemented by the Central CCAC to provide a new service for seniors older than 65 years, taking three or more medications, who suffer from one or more chronic diseases and are deemed to be at risk for falling, experiencing uncontrolled pain, being frequent users of the ER or requiring hospitalization. The patient (or caregiver) receives a full review at home of his or her medication, by either a qualified nurse or pharmacist. The nurse or pharmacist identifies any medication-related concerns and reviews those concerns with the primary physician. Once the physician has approved or provided feedback to the recommendations or suggestions, a final medication schedule is completed and given to the patient. A copy of that schedule is forwarded to the family physician and health care partners as required. Follow up visits are also carried out.

The Results

The project has served over 1400 clients to date. On average 3-5 discrepancies and medication related problems have been identified per patient. From April 2009 – March 2010, out of 865 clients served, 87 percent of discrepancies were resolved and 82 percent of medication-related problems were solved. Patients and caregivers indicated that there had been a reduction in pain and falls. A reduction in the frequency of ED visits was also noted. For 185 discharged clients, there were cost savings of medications at a cost of $35 000 to the health care system.

Next Steps

The MMSS project team is in the process of improving its current database to improve the efficiency of the software for service providers. Due to the benefits experienced from the program, the Central CCAC's focus is to continue to provide this service to as many eligible clients as possible.