PURPOSE: To compare discrepancies between in-home interviews and electronic medical records (EMRs) on regularly used prescription drugs among older home care clients.
METHODS: The participants were home care clients aged 75 years or older living in three Finnish municipalities. In-home interview data on regular prescription drug use from 276 home care clients were compared with EMRs. Agreement between the in-home interview data and EMRs was assessed using Cohen's kappa.
RESULTS: A majority (83%, n = 229) of the home care clients had discrepancies between in-home interview data and EMRs, and 40% had discrepancies that could clinically compromise their treatment. Living with a spouse or other family member, use of private health care services, diagnosed asthma/COPD or excessive polypharmacy was associated with having discrepancies. Discrepancies were more common among clients with better functioning and ability to self-manage drug use. Agreement between in-home interview data and EMRs was very good or good for other drug groups, but moderate for opioids, paracetamol, benzodiazepines and benzodiazepine-related drugs and lubricant eye drops, and poor for selective beta-2-adrenoceptor agonists. The most common clinically important discrepancies were psychotropics, opioids and agents acting on the renin-angiotensin system and beta-blocking agents.
CONCLUSIONS: Eight out of ten home care clients had discrepancies between in-home interview data and EMRs. Of these discrepancies, 40% were clinically important.
}, year = {2016}, journal = {Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf}, volume = {25}, pages = {100-5}, month = {01/2016}, issn = {1099-1557}, doi = {10.1002/pds.3909}, language = {eng}, }