scholarly journals Comparison of drug-related problem risk assessment tools for older adults: a systematic review

2019 ◽  
Vol 76 (3) ◽  
pp. 337-348
Author(s):  
Emmi Puumalainen ◽  
Marja Airaksinen ◽  
Sanni E. Jalava ◽  
Timothy F. Chen ◽  
Maarit Dimitrow

Abstract Purpose This study aims to systematically review studies describing screening tools that assess the risk for drug-related problems (DRPs) in older adults (≥ 60 years). The focus of the review is to compare DRP risks listed in different tools and describe their development methods and validation. Methods The systematic search was conducted using evidence-based medicine, Medline Ovid, Scopus, and Web of Science databases from January 1, 1985, to April 7, 2016. Publications describing general DRP risk assessment tools for older adults written in English were included. Disease, therapy, and drug-specific tools were excluded. Outcome measures included an assessment tool’s content, development methods, and validation assessment. Results The search produced 15 publications describing 11 DRP risk assessment tools. Three major categories of risks for DRPs included (1) patient or caregiver related risks; (2) pharmacotherapy-related risks; and (3) medication use process-related risks. Of all the risks included in the tools only 8 criteria appeared in at least 4 of the tools, problems remembering to take the medication being the most common (n=7). Validation assessments varied and content validation was the most commonly conducted (n = 9). Reliability assessment was conducted for 6 tools, most commonly by calculating internal consistency (n = 3) and inter-rater reliability (n = 2). Conclusions The considerable variety between the contents of the tools indicates that there is no consensus on the risk factors for DRPs that should be screened in older adults taking multiple medicines. Further research is needed to improve the accuracy and timeliness of the DRP risk assessment tools.

2020 ◽  
Vol 05 (04) ◽  
pp. 89-91
Author(s):  
Beatrice Pettersson ◽  
Ellinor Nordin ◽  
Anna Ramnemark ◽  
Lillemor Lundin-Olsson

Early detection of older adults with an increased risk of falling could enable early onset of preventative measures. Currently used fall risk assessment tools have not proven sufficiently effective in differentiating between high and low fall risk in community-living older adults. There are a number of tests and measures available, but many timed and observation-based tools are performed on a flat floor without interaction with the surrounding. To improve falls prediction, measurements in other areas that challenge mobility in dynamic conditions and that take a persons’ own perception of steadiness into account should be further developed and evaluated as single or combined measures. The tools should be easy to apply in clinical practice or used as a self-assessment by the older adults themselves.


Author(s):  
Marja Anneli Äijö ◽  
Satu Havulinna ◽  
Saija Karinkanta ◽  
Tarja Tervo-Heikkinen ◽  
Eija Lönnroos

Falls are a significant and increasing threat to wellbeing and health of older adults in Finland. Education is a key factor to prevent falls. National recommendations have been published to guide the health care professionals' work in falls prevention. In addition, interprofessional collaboration between different organizations have been done to prevent falls. This collaboration has produced evidence-based falls risk assessment tools, falls prevention programs, and materials advising older adults to prevent falls. Healthcare and educational organizations use these methods and materials to educate professionals and students in the risk assessment and prevention of falls among older adults. Finland is a good example how healthcare professionals from different settings and universities have worked together to increase the knowledge about falls and skills to prevent falls. Good collaboration can prevent falls nationally.


2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
pp. 331-353 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcello Ruggieri ◽  
Biagio Palmisano ◽  
Giancarlo Fratocchi ◽  
Valter Santilli ◽  
Roberta Mollica ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Rikito Hisamatsu ◽  
Rikito Hisamatsu ◽  
Kei Horie ◽  
Kei Horie

Container yards tend to be located along waterfronts that are exposed to high risk of storm surges. However, risk assessment tools such as vulnerability functions and risk maps for containers have not been sufficiently developed. In addition, damage due to storm surges is expected to increase owing to global warming. This paper aims to assess storm surge impact due to global warming for containers located at three major bays in Japan. First, we developed vulnerability functions for containers against storm surges using an engineering approach. Second, we simulated storm surges at three major bays using the SuWAT model and taking global warming into account. Finally, we developed storm surge risk maps for containers based on current and future situations using the vulnerability function and simulated inundation depth. As a result, we revealed the impact of global warming on storm surge risks for containers quantitatively.


2012 ◽  
Vol 61 (4) ◽  
pp. 662-663 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian M. Thompson ◽  
Donna P. Ankerst

2021 ◽  
pp. 103985622098403
Author(s):  
Marianne Wyder ◽  
Manaan Kar Ray ◽  
Samara Russell ◽  
Kieran Kinsella ◽  
David Crompton ◽  
...  

Introduction: Risk assessment tools are routinely used to identify patients at high risk. There is increasing evidence that these tools may not be sufficiently accurate to determine the risk of suicide of people, particularly those being treated in community mental health settings. Methods: An outcome analysis for case serials of people who died by suicide between January 2014 and December 2016 and had contact with a public mental health service within 31 days prior to their death. Results: Of the 68 people who had contact, 70.5% had a formal risk assessment. Seventy-five per cent were classified as low risk of suicide. None were identified as being at high risk. While individual risk factors were identified, these did not allow to differentiate between patients classified as low or medium. Discussion: Risk categorisation contributes little to patient safety. Given the dynamic nature of suicide risk, a risk assessment should focus on modifiable risk factors and safety planning rather than risk prediction. Conclusion: The prediction value of suicide risk assessment tools is limited. The risk classifications of high, medium or low could become the basis of denying necessary treatment to many and delivering unnecessary treatment to some and should not be used for care allocation.


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