Deprescribing Medications Among Older Hospitalized Adults Discharged to Postacute Care Facilities

Hospitalized patients often are discharged on a long list of medications — some of them unnecessary. In this randomized trial, researchers determined the effects of a deprescribing intervention among 284 hospitalized adults (age, ≥50; mean age, 77) who were taking ≥5 prehospital medications (over-the-counter or prescription) and who were discharged to postacute care facilities. The intervention group received a pharmacist- or nurse practitioner–led medication review during hospitalization and postacute care facility stay. The control group had usual care.

Compared with controls, patients in the intervention group took significantly fewer medications at discharge from a postacute care facility (15 vs. 13 medications) and fewer medications at …