Enhancing medication adherence in the older adult by implementing a medication program

PURPOSE The medication adherence program was a collaborative effort to develop, implement, and evaluate a medication adherence program that aims to reduce health utilization and disease exacerbation by improving medication adherence in older adults. The primary goal was to improve medication adherence by 10% within eight weeks. BACKGROUND The medication adherence program was based out of a home health agency in Katy, Texas. Medicare utilizes home health agencies as patient support programs for providing services like medication management to reduce older adult’s health utilization and improve health outcomes at home. METHODOLOGY The Plan Do Study Act (PDSA) model for improvement served as the theoretical framework for the nurse-driven medication adherence enhancement program. Staff were trained on the implementation tool and periodically during the project. Patient medication adherence status and tailored intervention was documented weekly. Physician, caregivers, and pharmacy were used to increase adherence in some cases. RESULTS Conclusion of the medication program proved useful to patients and caregivers. Data analysis revealed an increased awareness and motivation to adhere to prescribed medications. At least 50% of all patients had reached an improvement of 60-80% percent medication adherent at the conclusion of the program. IMPLICATIONS Findings indicate that a nurse-driven medication adherence program can increase medication adherence. Medication programs that are tailored to the patients and caregivers needs demonstrate a significant reduction to medication nonadherence. The longevity of the program will be contingent on the training and availability of willing staff members.