Adherence to a strict medication protocol can reduce length of stay in hospitalized patients with Parkinson's Disease

• Published in: Clinical parkinsonism & related disorders 2020-01, Vol.3, p.100076-100076, Article 100076
• Main Authors: Azmi, Hooman, Cocoziello, Lisa, Nyirenda, Themba, Douglas, Claudia, Jacob, Blessy, Thomas, Jewell, Cricco, Donna, Finnerty, Giuseppina, Sommer, Kirsten, Rocco, Anthony, Thomas, Randy, Roth, Patrick, Thomas, Florian P.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Custom timing; Length of stay; Medication delay; Medication protocol; Original; Parkinson's Disease
• ISSN: 2590-1125; 2590-1125
• DOI: 10.1016/j.prdoa.2020.100076

Patients with Parkinson's Disease (PD) are at higher risk of complications when admitted to the hospital. Delays in PD medications and use of contraindicated medications contribute to the increased risk and prolong their lengths of stay (LOS). Using a hospital-wide PD protocol, we aimed to ensure PD medications were placed with “custom” timing to resemble the home schedules, and also to avoid ordering or administering contraindicated medications. 569 patients admitted in 2017 and 2018, were reviewed retrospectively. Mean age was 76.5 (SD 10.6), 332 were males and 237 were females. Charts were reviewed to assess if A) PD medications were ordered with custom timing, B) if not, were the orders changed to custom timed C) if contraindicated medications were ordered, and D) if they were administered. We also assessed the actual/expected length of stay during this time period. Chi Square and post hoc analyses were done to compare time points. Poisson regression analysis was done to assess relative improvement of variables. There was a 2.7 fold increase in orders placed with custom timing in 2018 compared to 2017 (RR = 2.651, 95%CI: 1.860–3.780, p