Classification and assessment of medication risk in the elderly (Care): Use of a medication risk score to inform patients’ readmission likelihood after hospital discharge

Abstract

Existing risk tools that identify patients at high risk of medication-related iatrogenesis are not sufficient to holistically evaluate a patient’s entire medication regimen. This study used a novel medication risk score (MRS) which holistically evaluates medication regimens and provides action-able solutions. The main purpose of this study was to quantify adults ≥ 65 years with a high medication risk burden using the MRS and secondarily, appraise MRS association with hospital readmis-sion. This retrospective cohort study included all consecutive patients in a 6-month period aged 65 years and older, admitted for at least 48 h, and prescribed at least five medications upon discharge. Out of 3017 patients screened, 1386 met all criteria. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients with a score of ≥ 20 and the secondary outcome was the 30-day readmission rate. In the overall population, 17% of patients had an MRS ≥ 20. For patients discharged home, there was a 19% readmission rate for a score ≥ 20 and 11% for <20 (p = 0.009). A score of ≥ 20 was associated with a 1.8-fold increased risk of readmission in patients discharged home. Only 7% of patients met these criteria, which can help direct future use of the MRS at patients with the highest risk of medication-related iatrogenesis.