Slide Presentation from the AHRQ 2007 Annual Conference

Advantages (continued)

• Opportunity to reduce cost and improve care are much greater due to the percentage of medication dollars spent on this population
  • High percentage of medication dollars are spent in by Seniors
    • According to the 2003 report released by Families USA, a Washington based consumer health organization, seniors represent 13 % of the total population and yet they account for about 34 % of all prescriptions dispensed and 42% of all prescription drug spending.*
  • Due to high acuity levels of typical residents many of the medications are more costly than the average ambulatory patient
  • Residents often do not participate in medication administration so responsibility of physician, facility and pharmacy is much greater
  • Reducing time spent in the prescribing process and the opportunity for errors can significantly increase overall quality of care

* Source: Compiled by PRIME Institute, University of Minn., for Families USA