Optimizing medication prescriptions for elderly subjects

Innovation

Optimizing medication prescriptions for elderly subjects

The elderly population is more susceptible to adverse drug reactions. These adverse reactions, collectively known as iatrogenic effects, account for 20% of emergency hospitalizations among those over 75. In response to this, the Normandy Regional Observatory for Medicines, Drugs and Healthcare Products (OMéDIT*) launched Optimedoc: a medication optimization program, in partnership with the Normandy Regional Health Agency (ARS**). In 2022, 12 healthcare facilities, including the Caen University Hospital, joined the project to optimize the care pathway for elderly patients taking multiple medications (more than 5 drugs).

Optimédoc*** is an interdisciplinary and multi-professional program for people over 75. The patient's primary care physician, community pharmacist, and hospital support team (comprising a hospital pharmacist and a geriatrician) collaborate to fully reassess the medications of patients at high risk of iatrogenic effects. Patients benefit from a personalized pharmaceutical plan. New prescriptions are adjusted to be consistent with the patient's previous treatment and shared with all relevant community healthcare professionals.

The Bimedoc® pharmaceutical care software was chosen to support community-hospital coordination. This innovative software assists in medication reassessment, facilitates the analysis of drug interactions, and helps detect potentially inappropriate or missing medications. Bimedoc® enables personalized medication monitoring by generating a summary for hospital and community healthcare professionals.

*Observatory for Medicines, Medical Devices and Therapeutic Innovations
** Regional Health Agency

*** Project inspired by the national IATROPREV experiment led by the Hauts-de-France region