Integral Management of Healthcare Problems Related With Drugs in Polimedicated Patients: Drug Code

Background:

Although Drug- related Problems (DRPs) in polimedicated patients are a major public health problem in western countries and many of them have been considered avoidable, secondary and primary prevention policies have not been systematized, beyond pharmaceutical care programs in certain settings and on specific patients.

Objectives:

The main objective of this study is to evaluate the impact of implementing the Medication Code (CM) on patients who consult the emergency department for a DRP (secondary prevention of DRP). It is also intended to draw conclusions, based on the knowledge obtained in terms of DRP that will allow the establishment of future actions to reduce its prevalence (primary prevention actions).

Method:

A single-centre clinical trial is proposed in which adult patients will be selected to consult the Hospital Emergency Department (ED) of the Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau (HSCSP) for a primary or secondary diagnosis of DRP and will be randomised with a 1:1 distribution to be included in the medication code (intervention group) or to receive usual care (control group). The intervention will be evaluated in terms of health outcomes (ED consultations and hospital readmission).