Medication Use in Vulnerable Elders: Understanding ACOVE
| Learning Objectives: |
| • |
Discuss ACOVE (Acute Care of Vulnerable Elders) quality indicator supporting literature and use for evidence-based conclusions |
| • |
Review a subset of the 19 Medication Use Quality Indicators |
| • |
Describe the rationale for regular drug regimen review |
| • |
State at least 2 appropriate pathways for integrating ACOVE information into the medical decision-making process |
Overview:
Appropriate medication use is a critical factor in addressing the chronic diseases that burden vulnerable elders (VE’s). Older patients use disproportionate amounts of prescription drugs, and aging is accompanied by changing excretion and metabolism characteristics of medications and their metabolites. These changes are often not considered when prescribing of medications takes place, thereby putting elderly patients at increased risk of side effects due to inappropriate dosing or selection of drugs. Additionally, patients, caregivers, and even physicians often mistake medication side effects for the onset of new illnesses or "aging" itself. Since there is a paucity of elderly-specific data in clinical trials, ACOVE offers a review of existing evidence that can be used to make thoughtful and informed medication selection decisions.
The ACOVE indicators were recently updated to incorporate new literature and evidence-based standards. These standards create a well rounded set of criteria that address inappropriate medication use – including misuse, overuse and underuse in the community dwelling elderly.
Faculty
 Andrew M. Peterson, PharmD
Chair of the Department of Pharmacy Practice/
Pharmacy Administration
Associate Professor of Clinical Pharmacy
Philadelphia College of Pharmacy
University of the Sciences in Philadelphia
Program Date
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
 Presentation
 |
| |
ACOVE |
|
|
|
The Assessing Care of Vulnerable Elders (ACOVE) contains a set of quality indictors (QIs) to comprehensively measure care provided to vulnerable older persons at the health system, health plan or medical group level. This population is comprised of community-dwelling individuals aged 65 and older at a greater risk of death or functional decline over a 2-year period. Clinical experts developed this list of QIs using existing guidelines and clinical opinions; indicators cover the areas of prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up. There are currently 26 conditions covered within ACOVE, including sleep disorders. These QIs can form the basis for identifying areas of intervention, and helping to improve overall patient care.
The ACOVE Investigators (2007). Introduction to the Assessing Care of Vulnerable Elders-3 Quality Indicator Measurement Set. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. 2007. 55(s2), S247–S252. |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
