Effectiveness of Electronic Decision Support Tool in Deprescribing

Adverse drug events are common after acute hospitalizations, and many are preventable. Deprescribing potentially inappropriate medications prior to discharge likely would prevent such events; however, this often doesn't occur for a variety of reasons, including time stressors, lack of pharmacist support, deference to the primary care provider, or therapeutic inertia.

Researchers in Canada used MedSafer software (which integrates with the electronic health record) to produce evidence-based deprescribing opportunities. A total of 5700 hospitalized patients (mean age, 78) from 11 hospitals were randomized to the MedSafer tool or to usual care (i.e., medication reconciliation) prior to discharge; all patients were taking ≥5 medications regularly…