Medication Optimization using Monitor-Rx

Project Summary

Pharmacist utilization of a web-based clinical tool to optimize the medication regimens of older adults seen in three practice sites.

Technology

Monitor-Rx, a web-based medication assessment tool for use in geriatric patients.

Targeted Locations

Irvine, California and surrounding area.

Collaborators

• OASIS Older Adult Full Service Partnership (FSP)
• University of California Irvine Senior Health Center
• Alzheimer's Family Services Center
• Interactive Aging Network (IAN)

12-Month Goals

• Increase awareness/knowledge among clinicians that medications may contribute to physical, functional or cognitive decline in older adults, which should lead to higher levels of referrals to pharmacists for medication review.
• Reduce anticholinergic medication burden, which may improve physical/cognitive function.
• Reduce the number of inappropriate and unnecessary drugs an individual is taking to reduce costs and avoid potential medication problems.

Older Adult Population

1st year: 150 older adults at three (3) sites.
5th year: Potential to apply intervention to 800 UC Irvine clients per year (4000 over 5 years). Broadly expandable nationwide.

Setting/Provider Type

Pharmacist evaluation and consult with older adults from a mental health services program, primary care geriatric practice, and Alzheimer’s family service center.

Measurable Outcomes

Measured at baseline and throughout 2010: awareness/knowledge about selected medication risks, number of referrals to pharmacists for medication review, number of pharmacist recommendations and acceptance rate of recommendations, data about patients and use of selected medications. Barriers and successes will be documented.

Replication, Dissemination Plan

ASCPF and the IAN have recently launched Monitor-Rx and are actively marketing and selling licenses to use the product.

Sustainability Plan

ASCPF believes the findings from this project will demonstrate sufficient value in terms of medication optimization and improved outcomes to justify continued use of the technology beyond the grant period. Moreover, ASCPF is currently selling licenses for use of Monitor-Rx to community-based pharmacists. Contracts with other organizations (e.g., MTM service providers) are also in development. ASCPF is non-profit but plans to use revenue from Monitor-Rx to fund other initiatives.

Funding Request

$93,465

Matching Funds

$39,200