The Relationship between MAI and Healthcare Resource Outcomes
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exploration of the relationship between the Medication Appropriateness Index (MAI) and Healthcare Resource Usage and Outcomes
IRAS ID
219777
Contact name
E F Ruth Miller
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Research & Development Office , Clinical Translational Research & Innovation Centre (C-TRIC)
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
NT17-0556-04 , NHSCT R&D Reference No.
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 4 months, 26 days
Research summary
Both the WHSCT and NHSCT pharmacy departments have done work over recent years on reviewing and improving the prescribing of medicines taken by people aged 65 years and over who live in care homes or have been admitted to community hospitals (known as intermediate care). When a pharmacist initially reviews the medicine taken by the patient they determine a number of things including whether that is the most appropriate medicine for them to be taking. This decision can be captured by applying a tool called the Medication Appropriateness Index (MAI). The MAI consists of 10 questions which need to be asked about each drug. The MAI can be calculated for each drug and then totalled for all drugs taken. The number can range from 0 to 18 for each drug with a higher number suggesting the drug is not appropriate. The pharmacists then used this to inform their decisions about what to do for the patient. They followed up their patients until all medicine related issues were resolved and the drugs taken were as appropriate as could possibly be achieved. Whether the patients were admitted to hospital again after care by the pharmacist was completed was noted for those who had stayed in community hospitals. For those in care homes, note was made of whether these patients subsequently had unplanned admissions to hospital, presentations to A&E (without admission) or needed GPs called out (in or out of hours). It is not known whether there is a direct relationship between pharmacists improving appropriateness of medicines prescribed for patients and their subsequent use of healthcare resources. This research will explore if any relationship (good or bad) does actually exist.
REC name
HSC REC A
REC reference
17/NI/0052
Date of REC Opinion
30 Mar 2017
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion