RESUMO
PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of pharmacist interventions in the adaptation of pharmaceutical forms in elders institutionalized in nursing homes whose medicines are crushed, which may have a clinical relevance. METHODS: Quasi-experimental, multicenter, transversal and prospective study carried out in 10 nursing homes. Subjects for whom drugs were being crushed were identified. Their treatments were reviewed in order to identify drugs that should not be crushed. In these cases, we proposed an alternative to the physician and we evaluated the degree of acceptance, its association to other variables and the pre-post adaptation index (tablets that can be crushed and capsules that can be opened/ total number of tablets and capsules before and after the intervention). Moreover, health professionals received a training course. RESULTS: Medication was being crushed for 33% (618/1875) of residents (mean: 5 drugs susceptible of crushing). 220 pharmaceutical interventions were performed, mostly in extended release or gastro-resistant drugs (48% were accepted). Switch was the type of intervention more frequent (79%), mainly to Purpose: To evaluate the effect of pharmacist interventions in the adaptation of pharmaceutical forms in elders institutionalized in nursing homes whose medicines are crushed, which may have a clinical relevance. METHODS: Quasi-experimental, multicenter, transversal and prospective study carried out in 10 nursing homes. Subjects for whom drugs were being crushed were identified. Their treatments were reviewed in order to identify drugs that should not be crushed. In these cases, we proposed an alternative to the physician and we evaluated the degree of acceptance, its association to other variables and the pre-post adaptation index (tablets that can be crushed and capsules that can be opened/ total number of tablets and capsules before and after the intervention). Moreover, health professionals received a training course. RESULTS: Medication was being crushed for 33% (618/1875) of residents (mean: 5 drugs susceptible of crushing). 220 pharmaceutical interventions were performed, mostly in extended release or gastro-resistant drugs (48% were accepted). Switch was the type of intervention more frequent (79%), mainly to.
Objetivo: Evaluar el efecto de la intervención del farmacéutico en la adecuación de formas farmacéuticas en ancianos institucionalizados en residencias de mayores a los que se les tritura la medicación y cuya alteración pueda tener relevancia clínica. Método: Estudio cuasiexperimental, multicéntrico, transversal y prospectivo de diseño antes-después en 10 residencias de mayores. Se identificaron los residentes a los que se les trituraba la medicación y se revisó su tratamiento para identificar los medicamentos que no se pueden triturar. Se comunicó al médico responsable la alternativa disponible y se evaluó el grado de aceptación, su asociación con otras variables medidas y el índice de adecuación pre-post, (comprimidos/cápsulas triturables respecto al total de comprimidos/cápsulas antes y después de la intervención). Se impartió además un curso formativo dirigido a los profesionales sanitarios. Resultados: Se trituraba la medicación al 33% (618/1.875) de los pacientes institucionalizados (media: 5 fármacos susceptibles de trituración). Se realizaron 220 intervenciones, mayoritariamente por tratarse de fármacos de liberación prolongada o gastrorresistentes, de las que se aceptaron el 48%. El tipo de intervención más frecuente fue el cambio (79%), mayoritariamente a formas de liberación inmediata o a otro principio activo. El índice de adecuación pasó del 93% al 95% (p < 0,001). La satisfacción de los profesionales con el curso fue elevada. Conclusiones: La intervención del farmacéutico ha mejorado la correcta administración de los medicamentos, aumentando con ello su seguridad y eficacia.
