Associations between potentially inappropriate prescribing and increased number of medications with postdischarge health outcomes among geriatric rehabilitation inpatients: RESORT study

Abstract

AimsOlder adults are vulnerable to medication‐related harm mainly due to high use of medications and inappropriate prescribing. This study aimed to investigate the associations between inappropriate prescribing and number of medications identified at discharge from geriatric rehabilitation with subsequent postdischarge health outcomes.MethodRESORT (REStORing health of acutely unwell adulTs) is an observational, longitudinal cohort study of geriatric rehabilitation inpatients. Potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) and potential prescribing omissions (PPOs) were measured at acute admission, and at admission and discharge from geriatric rehabilitation, using Version 2 of the STOPP/START criteria.ResultsIn total, 1890 (mean age 82.6 ± 8.1 years, 56.3% female) were included. The use of at least 1 PIM or PPO at geriatric rehabilitation discharge was not associated with 30‐day and 90‐day readmission and 3‐month and 12‐month mortality. Central nervous system/psychotropics and fall risk PIMs were significantly associated with 30‐day hospital readmission (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 1.53; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.09–2.15), and cardiovascular PPOs with 12‐month mortality (AOR 1.34; 95% CI 1.00–1.78). Increased number of discharge medications was significantly associated with 30‐day (AOR 1.03; 95% CI 1.00–1.07) and 90‐day (AOR 1.06; 95% CI 1.03–1.09) hospital readmissions. The use and number of PPOs (including vaccine omissions) were associated with reduced independence in instrumental activities of daily living scores at 90‐days after geriatric rehabilitation discharge.ConclusionThe number of discharge medications, central nervous system/psychotropics and fall risk PIMs were significantly associated with readmission, and cardiovascular PPOs with mortality. Interventions are needed to improve appropriate prescribing in geriatric rehabilitation patients to prevent hospital readmission and mortality.