Prescribing and Monitoring Controlled Substances in Home Care

The geriatric patient population is not well represented in studies regarding opioid use and misuse; none of the interventions that have been validated in the ambulatory setting have been implemented in the home-based primary care setting. This makes it difficult to prescribe controlled substances safely in older adults. This qualitative study includes a need-assessment survey among home care geriatrics providers in regards to prescribing and monitoring controlled substances in home care. The initial results of the study highlighted current attitudes and practices of geriatrics home-based primary care providers at out hospital. The study results will serve as a stepping stone in developing efficient and effective plans for prescribing and monitoring controlled substances in the geriatrics home care setting.

This project was selected for presentation during the Presidential Poster Session at the 2018 Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Geriatrics Society.