Quality of prescribing for elderly inpatients at nine hospitals in Victoria, Australia

Abstract

Objective: To assess the quality of prescribing for elderly inpatients at nine acute and subacute public hospitals in Victoria, Australia. Method: Prescribing was assessed cross-sectionally by reviewing prescriptions for all inpatients aged 65 years and over on participating units on the days of audit. Patients admitted less than 24 hours prior to audit were excluded. Evidence-based prescribing indicators were used to assess quality of prescribing using patients' medication charts and hospital medical records. Results: Prescriptions for 1416 patients (median age 81 years, 57% female) were reviewed. The median number of medications prescribed was eight (0-22). Thirty-four per cent of items we..