Scoring tool to identify patients at increased risk for drug-related problems: results of a point prevalence study at hospital admission

<bold>Introduction: </bold>Drug therapy is a high-risk process and requires special attention, especially at sectoral borders. Pharmaceutical services such as medication review are appropriate measures to identify drug-related problems and thus improve the safety of drug therapy. Risk-scoring tools have been described in the literature as helpful for prioritizing medication reviews for patients at high risk for drug-related problems.<bold>Methods: </bold>In a multi-centre point prevalence study, we identified patients at increased risk for medication-related problems at hospital admission using the medication risk tool. In addition, the current level of implementation of pharmacy services was surveyed.<bold>Results: </bold>A total of 11 (58%; 11/19) hospital pharmacies in Saxony participated in the point prevalence survey. The scoring tool identified 32% (279/875) of patients at increased risk for medication-related problems (Meris score >12 group) at admission. Thereby, the number of drugs in the Meris score >12 group was 10.6 (average; standard deviation 3.5; n=279), while in the Meris score <= 12 group it was only five drugs per patient (average 4.6; standard deviation 2.8; n=596). The age of patients in the Meris score >12 group averaged 75.9 +/- 11 years, while the age of patients in the Meris score <= 12 group averaged 60.6 +/- 17.9 years.<bold>Discussion: </bold>Prioritization with the help of a risk-scoring tool is essential as pharmacy services in Saxon hospitals still need to be regularly established and in order to identify patients with an increased risk for drug-related problems at an early stage.