Jul

Medication Management and Support Service Study

July 2011

A group of 30 elderly Christchurch residents are currently working alongside us to 'test run' a medication management support service. Our advanced medical alarm, known as the Personal Response Unit (PRU), has additional functions including an audible and visual message capability that can be programmed to offer reminders. Messages can be recorded to prompt a variety of actions, and we have recruited a sample of Christchurch home-based elderly residents to comment on the usefulness of a medication reminder, supported by a monitoring service, in improving their ability to take the right medications at the right time.

The Medication Management and Support Service study is being undertaken by Chiptech, in collaboration with the New River research company. St John are working with us to provide the installation and monitoring service and the study is being assisted with funding from the Foundation for Science and Research. The purpose of the 60 day in-home trial is to determine the usability and acceptability of a monitored reminder service in addressing the widespread issue of poor medication compliance. Chiptech is developing health initiatives and resources that enable people to remain safe and secure, in the comfort of their own homes. Unintentionally forgetting to take medications is recognised internationally as a major contributor to poor health outcomes - particularly for the elderly, living independently in the community. It is hoped that a monitored reminder service will lead to improved medication compliance and will make a significant contribution to better health outcomes.

Our study participants have been referred by their GPs. In addition to a group of participants living in the community, we are trialling the service with a small group of residents living independently in a Ryman Healthcare village.

We have installed a PRU in the homes of study participants for a period of two months. Each PRU is programmed to offer a visual and audible reminder at specified times throughout the day when a person is due for their medication. When the message occurs, people are reminded to take their medications, then simply push a button on the PRU to acknowledge they have taken their medication as prescribed.

The system is being monitored by St John telecare staff and daily they check on each individual's compliance rates. When a reminder is not acknowledged, St John staff call the next day to discuss the missed medication reminder with the study participant. At the beginning of the 60 day study, participants will be asked to complete a questionnaire seeking information on their medication compliance, general health and quality of life issues. At the end of the study, a final questionnaire will gather information on any changes in medication compliance, health and lifestyle issues and participants will be invited to comment on how they have found the service.

A web portal showing a daily recording of each person's compliance rates, accessible by the participant's GP, has been designed by Chiptech. GPs will be asked to comment on the advantages/disadvantages of being able to monitor their patients' medication regimes and compliance rates.

We are looking at the usefulness of the service as well as commercial applications, should it prove to improve medication compliance. Recent seismic activity has seen our study delayed, but not derailed, and we hope to have preliminary results within the next two months.

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