Use of digital health records improve health of the elderly

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Public release date: 7-Apr-2008

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2008-04/ghs-gsu040708.php

Contact: Walden

jawalden@...

Geisinger Health System

Geisinger study: Use of digital health records improve health of the elderly

DANVILLE, PA. –Use of medications that are linked to increased risk of

falls in the elderly can be reduced through careful review of patient

files in the Electronic Health Record, new Geisinger research shows.

Psychoactive drugs such as anti-anxiety medicines impact a person’s

neurochemistry and may predispose elderly patients to falls, which are a

major cause of injury and death in the elderly.

Geisinger pharmacists and geriatricians recently reviewed the medication

records of several hundred elderly patients using Geisinger’s advanced,

$90 million Electronic Health Record.

After the review, the patient’s primary care doctor received an e-mail

that contained medication recommendations tailored to individual patients.

Elderly patients used fewer psychoactive medications after their cases

were reviewed, which has the potential to reduce falls, according to a

Geisinger study in the April Journal of General Internal Medicine.

“Our research shows the importance of documenting a person’s medication

lists,” Geisinger Director of Internal Medicine and lead study lead

author Weber, MD said. “The Electronic Health Record is a great

tool for monitoring a person’s medication and avoiding usage problems.”

It’s estimated that 30% of patients over 65 take eight or more

medications, which helps fuel healthcare spending. U.S. prescription

drug sales topped more than $250 billion in 2007.

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The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality funded the study.

About Geisinger Health System

Founded in 1915, Geisinger Health System (Danville, PA) is one of the

nation’s largest integrated health services organizations. Serving more

than two million residents throughout central and northeastern

Pennsylvania, the physician-led organization is at the forefront of the

country's rapidly emerging electronic health records movement. Geisinger

is comprised of three medical center campuses, a 700-member group

practice, a not-for-profit health insurance company and the Center for

Health Research—dedicated to creating innovative new models for patient

care, satisfaction and clinical outcomes.

For more information, visit www.geisinger.org

--

ne Holden, MS, RD

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