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HomeMeds

An Evidence-Based Practice

Description

HomeMeds is a medication use improvement program developed specifically for agencies providing in-home services and health care to older adults. The program addresses four common medication problems, as identified by an expert panel of researchers: (1) unnecessary therapeutic duplication, (2) cardiovascular medication problems (e.g., poorly controlled high or low blood pressure, drop in blood pressure upon standing, low pulse), (3) use of psychotropic drugs by patients with possible adverse psychomotor or adrenergic effects (e.g., falls, dizziness, confusion), and (4) use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) by patients at high risk of peptic ulcer complications.

Goal / Mission

The mission of the program is to shape the evolving health system by developing and spreading high-value models of community-based care and self-management for diverse populations with chronic conditions.

Results / Accomplishments

The HomeMeds system led to discontinuation of potentially harmful medicines, decreased confusion and dizziness, better pain control, decreased risk of falls, and improved blood pressure control. The program identified potential medication problems in 40-60 percent of older adults screened. Pharmacists recommended changes in medications for 60 percent of the participants who screened in with potential problems. Of those recommendations, 60 percent led to changes that improved medication use.

About this Promising Practice

Organization(s)
Partners in Care Foundation
Primary Contact
June Simmons, President and CEO
732 Mott Street Suite 150
San Fernando, CA 91340
818-837-3775 x102
jsimmons@picf.org
https://www.picf.org/june-simmons-2/
Topics
Community / Public Safety
Health
Community / Social Environment
Organization(s)
Partners in Care Foundation
Date of implementation
1997
For more details
https://www.picf.org/homemeds/
Target Audience
Older Adults

Related Promising Practices

  1. Healthy Steps for Older Adults (HSOA)
  2. Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE)
  3. Wellness Initiative for Senior Education (WISE)
  4. BRI Care Consultation
  5. Healthy Moves
  6. Tailored Caregiver Assessment and Referral (TCARE)

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Related Content for: HomeMeds

An Evidence-Based Practice meets the following HCI criteria:

  1. The program description includes at a minimum: the sponsoring organization, program goals, program implementation steps, and outcomes that have demonstrated program success in achieving the program goal in one or more localities.
  2. The results from an evaluation of the program include quantitative measures showing improvement in the outcome(s) of interest after the implementation of the program (i.e. increase in smoking cessation, not just the delivery of a smoking cessation program). The outcome measure(s) is/are compared at relevant time periods before and after the intervention or program implementation. Alternatively, the evaluation study compares the outcome(s) between an intervention group and an appropriate control group.
  3. The study is of peer-review quality and presents numbers in a scientific manner; measurements of precision and reliability are included (e.g. confidence intervals, standard errors), results from statistical tests show a significant difference or change in the outcome measure(s), and relevant point estimates and p-values are presented. Note: if the results from an evaluation of a program are presented in a scientific manner and the outcome measure is improved compared to the baseline measurement or the control group but the difference is not statistically significant, the practice is classified as effective and not evidence-based.
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