86THE INTEGRATED COMMUNITY AGEING TEAM (ICAT) PHARMACY SERVICE: COMPREHENSIVE MEDICATION REVIEWS IN THE COMMUNITY

Abstract

Topic: The use of medicines in the older population can be problematic. It is therefore important to carry out medication reviews regularly. To assist with this issue the ICAT pharmacy service comprising of two clinical pharmacists was initiated. The aim of the service was to provide a personalised medication review for older people within their own homes, including care homes. Intervention(s): General Practitioners (GPs) and the wider multidisciplinary team (MDT) were made aware of this new service and the referral process through local bulletins and by the pharmacists visiting their workplace. Medication reviews were carried out with the patient and family member or carer as well as with a GP or a geriatrician. Improvement: A total of 399 patients received a comprehensive medication review over a 10 month period. The pharmacists made 1738 recommendations and of these 1224 (70%) were presented to the GP for consideration. The remaining interventions were carried out by the pharmacists, such as medicines reconciliation, adherence support and providing education. The table below shows a sample of the pharmacists' recommendations made and subsequently actioned by the GP: Hospital avoidance interventions and direct cost-savings amounted to a calculated saving of 53,789.92 over the 10 month period. Discussion(s): The service was well received by the patients and the MDT. Quotes included: "I feel very at ease with my medication now." (Patient). "The pharmacists are approachable, supportive and responsive; they are an invaluable addition to the services we utilise in our practice." (GP). The main challenge faced was the communication aspect including the use of information technology within the MDT, which is continuously improving as the service evolves. One recommendation to others would be to invest in a robust system to aid communication from the outset (Table presented).