Polypharamcy Flashcards
Why are older adults more at risk of problems with polypharmacy?
They are more likely to have comorbidities requiring pharmacological intervention
What is the most effective way to manage polypharmacy?
Regularly assess adherence to medication regime
Use a medicines bag review of medications at each GP/OP visit to ensure accurate medication list
What is the potential risk of treating elderly with PPIs?
Increased risk of hospital acquired pneumonia
Increased fracture risk
Increased risk of community acquired C. difficile diarrhoea
What is the STOPP criteria?
Screening Tool of Older Person’s Potentially Inappropriate Prescriptions
What is the START criteria?
Screening Tool to Alert Doctors to Right Treatments
Where is CGA done?
Done anywhere - their home, GP clinic, hospital outpatients, community settings, acute care environment
When should CGA be considered?
Old person presenting to GP with frailty syndrome - fall, confusion, reduced mobility, increasing incontinence
When older person discharged from hospital after presenting with frailty syndrome even if another diagnosis offered as cause
Care homes
Form a part of proactive care - target population e.g those with moderate frailty
