Effectiveness of a multidisciplinary home‐based medication review program in reducing healthcare utilization among older adult Singaporeans

Aim The study aimed to: (i) evaluate the effectiveness of a multidisciplinary home‐based medication review (HBMR) program in reducing hospital admissions and emergency department (ED) visits, cost of hospital admissions and length of stay (LOS); and (ii) determine the prevalence of drug‐related problems (DRP) in elderly Singaporeans. Methods A retrospective observational study was carried out at an academic medical center in Singapore. Patients referred between 1 March 2011 and 31 December 2012 were included. Frequency of hospital admissions and ED visits, cost of hospital admissions, and LOS 6 months before and after HBMR, number of DRP, their categories, and their outcomes (i.e. resolved/ unresolved) were recorded. Results The analysis included 107 patients with a mean (SD) age of 75.6 years (7.6 years). HBMR resulted in a 41% reduction in risk for hospital admissions (Incidence rate ratio 0.59, 95% CI 0.47–0.73, P