Deprescribing antipsychotics in long term care patients with dementia.

Objective: To develop a clinical protocol for the use of antipsychotic drugs in dementia patients with  behavioral disturbances that includes prescribing and deprescribing criteria and to assess its  applicability in longterm care institutions.

Method: The protocol was developed from an interdisciplinary perspective based on a literature  search of the published proposals on antipsychotic drug use in dementia patients. Its applicability to  the antipsychotic deprescribing process was assessed in a single center in a prospective before-after study  with a follow-up of 6 months after the intervention study.

Analysis of acenocoumarol and levofloxacin interaction in elderly institutionalized patients.

Objective: To analyze the interaction between acenocoumarol and  levofloxacin in the elderly. We also assessed how hypoalbuminemia affects international normalized ratio variation.

Method: Retrospective study carried on elderly institutionalized patients who were prescribed levofloxacin concomitantly with acenocoumarol.

Approach to the development of a frailty index based on comprehensive geriatric assessment in nursing home.

Objective: To carry out an approach for the development of a frailty index in  nursing homes and to analize its potential use in order to individualize the  pharmacological treatment.

Method: The frailty index was constructed from the information included in the  comprehensive geriatric assessment established in nursing homes. The index  has been retrospectively applied to the patients of two centers using the last  comprehensive geriatric assessment of each one.

Interdisciplinary approach to the management of medical supplies in the nursing home setting.

Introduction: Given the impact of pressure ulcers in institutionalized elderly people, an interdisciplinary approach to the care of ulcers and the management of medical supplies is essential. The aim of this study is to describe and evaluate the management of medical supplies by an interdisciplinary team in order to promote their rational use in the nursinghome setting.

Methods: An interdisciplinary team was set up, coordinated by a Pharmacy Unit including representatives of 18 elderly nursing homes (1,599 beds).

[The impact of Pharmacy Intervention on the treatment of elderly multi-pathological patients].

Objective: to analyze the impact of Pharmacy Intervention (PI), within the healthcare team who manages elderly multi-pathological patients, regarding the evolution of Drug Related Problems (DRPs) and Negative Outcomes Associated with Medication (NOMs). To estimate the prevalence of DRPs, NOMs, and Potentially Inappropriate Prescriptions (PIPs), and the drugs involved, considering the characteristics of their healthcare location.

Method: multicenter, prospective study, on > 65-year-old patients with multiple pathologies, either institutionalized or hospitalized.