Potentially inappropriate prescribing in nursing home residents detected with the community pharmacist specific GheOP3S-tool

Background: The Ghent Older People’s Prescriptions community Pharmacy Screening (GheOP3S-)tool was recently developed to screen for potentially inappropriate prescribing (PIP). Objective: We aimed (1) to determine PIP prevalence in older nursing home (NH) residents with polypharmacy using the GheOP3S-tool and (2) to identify those PIPs that are most frequently detected. Method: A cross-sectional study was carried out between February and June 2014 in 10 NHs in Belgium, supplied by a community pharmacy chain. For each NH, 40 residents (>70 years, using >5 chronic drugs) were included. PIP prevalence was determined using the GheOP3S-tool. Results: 400 NH residents were included [mean age (±SD) 86.2 (±6.3) years; median number of drugs (±IQR) 10 (7–12)]. A total of 1728 PIPs were detected in 387 (97 %) participants (Median 4; IQR 2–6). The most prevalent items can be assigned to three categories: long-term use of central nervous system drugs (i.e. benzodiazepines, antidepressants and antipsychotics), use of anticholinergic drugs (mutual combinations and with underlying constipation/dementia) and underuse of osteoporosis prophylaxis. Conclusion: Screening for PIP by means of the GheOP3S-tool revealed a high prevalence of PIP among older NH residents with polypharmacy. This finding urges for initiatives on the patient-level, but also on a broader, institutional level