Appropriate and Inappropriate Polypharmacy

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Questions and Answers

What is inappropriate polypharmacy according to the National Institute on Aging?

The use of excessive or unnecessary medications (correct)

The reduction of the number of medicines prescribed to a patient

The use of evidence-based medications for complex conditions

The use of medicines that are likely to help and aligned with the person's health goals

What is the main goal of optimizing polypharmacy according to the Scottish Government Polypharmacy Model of Care Group?

To increase the use of evidence-based medications

To reduce the number of medicines prescribed to a patient

To ensure the patient's treatment is optimized to achieve their preferred outcomes (correct)

To reduce the cost of healthcare

What is the definition of appropriate polypharmacy according to The King's Fund?

The prescribing of medicines for an individual for complex conditions or for multiple conditions in circumstances where medicines use has been optimized (correct)

The use of evidence-based medications for single conditions

The prescribing of multiple medicines inappropriately

The reduction of the number of medicines prescribed to a patient

What is the main factor to consider when reviewing polypharmacy according to The King's Fund?

The optimization of medicines use Signup and view all the answers

What is problematic polypharmacy according to The King's Fund?

The prescribing of multiple medicines inappropriately, or where the intended benefit of the medicines are not realized Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of clinicians in managing polypharmacy according to the Scottish Government Polypharmacy Model of Care Group?

To consider the patient's health goals and optimize medicines use Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the King's Fund's paper on polypharmacy and medicines optimization?

To outline the positive or negative potential of polypharmacy Signup and view all the answers

What is the goal of combined knowledge in managing polypharmacy according to the Scottish Government Polypharmacy Model of Care Group?

To ensure the patient's treatment is optimized to achieve their preferred outcomes Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of identifying specific stages in the polypharmacy process?

To provide triggers for appropriate polypharmacy Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of inappropriate polypharmacy?

One or more medicines fail to achieve the therapeutic objectives Signup and view all the answers

What is a key aspect of appropriate polypharmacy?

The patient is motivated and able to take all medicines as intended Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason for conducting medication review?

To optimize drug therapy to achieve therapeutic objectives Signup and view all the answers

What is a consequence of inappropriate polypharmacy?

The patient is at an unacceptably high risk of adverse drug reactions Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of medication reconciliation at care transitions?

To ensure that all drugs are prescribed for the purpose of achieving specific therapeutic objectives Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Polypharmacy

Polypharmacy requires a combined effort from patients, clinicians, academics, and policymakers to manage and optimize patient treatment.

Appropriate vs Inappropriate Polypharmacy

Inappropriate polypharmacy: the use of excessive or unnecessary medications, potentially harmful, or misaligned with the person's health goals.
Appropriate polypharmacy: prescribing for an individual for complex conditions or multiple conditions with optimized medicine use and evidence-based prescribing.

The King's Fund

An independent charitable organization working to improve health and care in England.
Published a paper on polypharmacy and medicines optimization in 2013, highlighting the positive and negative potential of polypharmacy.

Definitions

Appropriate polypharmacy: prescribing for complex conditions or multiple conditions with optimized medicine use and evidence-based prescribing.
Problematic polypharmacy: the prescribing of multiple medicines inappropriately or where the intended benefit is not realized.

Scottish Polypharmacy Model of Care Group

Identifies five stages for appropriate polypharmacy:
Prescribing (and risk assessment)
Medication review
Dispensing and administration
Communication and patient engagement
Medication reconciliation (at care transitions)