Reducing medication-related harm (MRH) in older people
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Implementation of a medicines management plan (MMP) to reduce medication related harm (MRH) in older people post hospital discharge: a randomised controlled trial
IRAS ID
305313
Contact name
Khalid Ali
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Sussex
ISRCTN Number
ISRCTN16864276
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 6 months, 1 days
Research summary
Hospital discharge is a high-risk situation for experiencing medication-related harm (MRH). This may be due to side effects, consequences of not taking the medication, or medication errors.
Older people at the point of discharge are at higher risk of medication-related harm (MRH). This is due to underlying health conditions, being on multiple medications, and changes in the way the body handles medication with older age.
1 in 3 adults aged 65 and over experience medication-related harm (MRH) in the 8 weeks post-discharge, with half of these episodes preventable (Parekh et al, 2018). The PRIME Risk Prediction Tool (RPT), is the first tool to predict the absolute risk of an older adult experiencing MRH in the 8 weeks post-discharge (Parekh et al, 2020). NHS England (2015) recognise RPTs can help target those at greatest risk who are mostly likely to benefit from an intervention.
This study aims to reduce medication-related harm in older people after a hospital stay by improving the medicines information that a patient or carer receives on discharge. Participants will be randomised to the medicine management plan intervention group or to the usual care group. All participants will have their risk calculated using the PRIME RPT.
The study period is 8 weeks, and will take place across multiple hospital sites. If re-admitted in this time, participants will be assessed to see if the admission was due to MRH. At the end of the 8 weeks, particpants or their carers will be interviewed to identify if they have experienced MRH.
REC name
North West - Haydock Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
22/NW/0075
Date of REC Opinion
15 Mar 2022
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion