The detection and prevention of adverse drug events in nursing home and home care patients: Study protocol of a quasi-experimental study

Nurs Open. 2022 Mar;9(2):1477-1485. doi: 10.1002/nop2.1146. Epub 2021 Dec 2.

Abstract

Aim: To estimate the cost-effectiveness of an intervention facilitating the early detection of adverse drug events through the means of health professional training and the application of a digital screening tool.

Design: Multi-centred non-randomized controlled trial from August 2018 to March 2020 including 65 nursing homes or home care providers.

Methods: We aim to estimate the effect of the intervention on the rate of adverse drug events as primary outcome through a quasi-experimental empirical study design. As secondary outcomes, we use hospital admissions and falls. All outcomes will be measured on patient-month level. Once the causal effect of the intervention is estimated, cost-effectiveness will be calculated. For cost-effectiveness, we include all patient costs observed by the German statutory health insurance.

Results: The results of this study will inform about the cost-effectiveness of the optimized drug supply intervention and provide evidence for potential reimbursement within the German statutory health insurance system.

Keywords: adverse drug events; home care intervention; hospital admissions; nursing home intervention; quasi-experimental study design.

Publication types

  • Controlled Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cost-Benefit Analysis
  • Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions* / prevention & control
  • Home Care Services*
  • Humans
  • Nursing Homes
  • Quality of Life