Assessing Potentially Inappropriate Prescribing in the Elderly Veterans Affairs Population Using the HEDIS 2006 Quality Measure

A cross-sectional database study identified older patients receiving drugs included in the HEDIS 2006 criteria to determine the rate of potentially inappropriate prescribing in the elderly (PIPE) and to determine if patient risk factors are similar to those found using Beers criteria.

Abstract

Even though we included a slightly different list of drugs to avoid, results for the HEDIS 2006 measure were similar to those of the 1997 Beers criteria. The HEDIS 2006 drugs are commonly prescribed, and there is a distinct need for direct evidence linking HEDIS 2006 PIPE exposure to adverse patient outcomes. To reduce PIPE, it seems necessary to provide additional evidence for clinicians through the conducting of a well-designed study to assess patient outcomes associated with PIPE exposure as defined by the HEDIS criteria.