Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Long-Term Survival Of Older Patients Hospitalized For Covid-19. Do Clinical Characteristics Upon Admission Matter?, Michał Chojnicki, Agnieszka Neumann-Podczaska, Mikołaj Seostianin, Zofia Tomczak, Hamza Tariq, Jerzy Chudek, Sławomir Tobis, Iwona Mozer-Lisewska, Aleksandra Suwalska, Andrzej Tykarski, Piotr Merks, Sylwia Kropińska, Małgorzata Sobieszczańska, Frank Romanelli, Katarzyna Wieczorowska-Tobis

Pharmacy Practice and Science Faculty Publications

Older adults are particularly susceptible to COVID-19 in terms of both disease severity and risk of death. To compare clinical differences between older COVID-19 hospitalized survivors and non-survivors, we investigated variables influencing mortality in all older adults with COVID-19 hospitalized in Poznań, Poland, through the end of June 2020 (n = 322). In-hospital, post-discharge, and overall 180-day mortality were analyzed. Functional capacity prior to COVID-19 diagnosis was also documented. The mean age of subjects was 77.5 ± 10.0 years; among them, 191 were females. Ninety-five (29.5%) died during their hospitalization and an additional 30 (9.3%) during the post-discharge period …

An Investigation Of New Medications Initiation During Ambulatory Care Visits In Patients With Dementia, Alexandra Wallem, Ashley I. Martinez, Lauren Vickers, Michael Singleton, Daniela C. Moga

Pharmacy Practice and Science Faculty Publications

Background
There is currently insufficient data describing how new medications are provided to older adult ambulatory patients with dementia in the United States (US).

Objectives
To describe characteristics of ambulatory care visits for adults ≥ 65 years old and investigate differences in prescribing of new medications between patients with and without dementia.

Methods
We conducted a population-based cross-sectional study using the 2016 National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS) in the US. Non-perioperative ambulatory care visits of patients ≥ 65 years old with sampling weights were used to provide national estimates of visits. Baseline characteristics were compared between visits for patients …

Case Report: The Complexities Of Managing Medications And The Importance Of Deprescribing Anticholinergics In Older Adults, Taylor Elliott, Lynne Eckmann, Daniela C. Moga

Pharmacy Practice and Science Faculty Publications

Potentially inappropriate anticholinergic medications (including over-the-counter products), polypharmacy, and the existence of communication barriers among members of the interprofessional team frequently contribute to clinical complexity in older adults. We present the case of a frail 86-year old female from the perspective of a community pharmacist managing outpatient medications and transitions of care. CD’s past medical history is significant for dementia, multiple falls, recurrent urinary tract infections, depression, cardiac arrhythmia, macular degeneration, chronic pain, depression, and cerebrovascular disease.

An Experimental Education Project For Consultations Of Older Adults During The Pandemic And Healthcare Lockdown, Agnieszka Neumann-Podczaska, Mikołaj Seostianin, Konrad Madejczyk, Piotr Merks, Urszula Religioni, Zofia Tomczak, Sławomir Tobis, Daniela C. Moga, Melody Ryan, Katarzyna Wieczorowska-Tobis

Pharmacy Practice and Science Faculty Publications

Objective: To develop a mentor-supervised, interprofessional, geriatric telemedicine experiential education project in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: Medical and pharmacy students collaborated via remote consultations to address the coexistence of multimorbidity and polypharmacy in geriatric patients. In-depth interviews of students and patients as well as Likert scale-based telephonic survey were performed for a comprehensive evaluation of the project’s significance. Results: To date, 49 consultations have been conducted. Remote consultations performed by medical and pharmacy students working collaboratively were beneficial for both students, participants. Conclusions and Practice Implications: This experimental education project provided students with authentic challenges while simultaneously delivering …

Optimizing Medication Appropriateness In Older Adults: A Randomized Clinical Interventional Trial To Decrease Anticholinergic Burden, Daniela C. Moga, Erin L. Abner, Dorinda N. Rigsby, Lynne Eckmann, Mark Huffmyer, Richard R. Murphy, Beth B. Coy, Gregory A. Jicha

Pharmacy Practice and Science Faculty Publications

Background

The complexity of medication therapy in older adults with multiple comorbidities often leads to inappropriate prescribing. Drugs with anticholinergic properties are of particular interest because many are not recognized for this property; their use may lead to increased anticholinergic burden resulting in significant health risks, as well as negatively impacting cognition. Medication therapy management (MTM) interventions showed promise in addressing inappropriate medication use, but the effectiveness of targeted multidisciplinary team interventions addressing anticholinergic medications in older populations is yet to be determined.

Methods

We conducted an 8-week, parallel-arm, randomized trial to evaluate whether a targeted patient-centered pharmacist–physician team MTM …

Quality Of Life And Medication Adherence Of Independently Living Older Adults Enrolled In A Pharmacist-Based Medication Management Program, Christopher Harlow, Catherine Hanna, Lynne Eckmann, Yevgeniya Gokun, Faika Zanjani, Karen Blumenschein, Holly Divine

Pharmacy Practice and Science Faculty Publications

This study sought to understand the medication adherence and quality of life (QOL) of recipients of a pharmacist-based medication management program among independently living older adults. Using a cross-sectional, quasi-experimental study design, we compared older adults enrolled in the program to older adults not enrolled in the program. Data were collected via face-to-face interviews in independent-living facilities and in participants’ homes. Independently living older adults who were enrolled in the medication management program (n = 38) were compared to older adults not enrolled in the program (control group (n = 41)). All participants were asked to complete questionnaires …