Potentially inappropriate medication use among stroke residents of a long-term care facility: an observational case study using the Beers Criteria

Objectives: The demographic variables and drug use of stroke residents (aged ž 65 years) in long-term care facilities were explored for potentially inappropriate medication use, and a cooperation model for prescription optimization was examined. Methods: A total of 22 residents of a regional hospital in Taipei City were included. Data on the following were collected through a prospective cross-sectional method: (1) basic information (sex, age, types of medication), (2) prevalence of potentially inappropriate medication use, and (3) results of the medication intervention. Results: The maximum number of chronic diseases of any participant was four. The participants used 6 to 10 prescribed medications. Quetiapine was the foremost potentially inappropriate medication. The medications of 15 residents (68.2% of the participants) required discussion with attending physicians for deprescribing. Conclusions: Using the Beers criteria, the study determined that the prescriptions and medications of stroke residents in a long-term care facility exhibited unique characteristics. Attending physicians consider factors including the purpose, effectiveness, urgency, and rationality of dosage according to the specific conditions of individual residents when making prescriptions. The adoption of a cooperation model between physicians and pharmacists is recommended, as is the use of the Beers criteria as a reference to reduce potentially inappropriate medications and to promote prescription optimization.