Adverse outcomes associated with inappropriate drug use in nursing homes.

Background: Little empirical evidence exists regarding the influence and outcomes of inappropriate medication use among elderly nursing home residents.

Objective: To identify the prevalence of inappropriate medication use among elderly patients in Georgia nursing homes using the Beers criteria and identify the relationship between inappropriate drug use and the likelihood of an adverse health outcome.

Methods: A cohort design was used to review 1117 patient medical records in 15 Georgia nursing homes with a high risk of polypharmacy.