Six questionable practices clinicians and patients should avoid

Canadian Society of Hospital Pharmacists has reiterated certain avoidable and questionable practices being observed by clinicians. These Six things clinicians and patients if questioned may improve quality care in long run by stopping practices which do not benefit in the long run.They are as follows-

1. Don’t continue medications that are no longer indicated or where the risks outweigh the benefits.

Polypharmacy, often defined as taking five or more medications at the same time, has been associated with a variety of adverse health outcomes. Therapy with medication is initiated when the patient and care team conclude that the benefits of taking the medication outweigh the risks of not starting therapy. However, over time, patients and their conditions or goals of care change, new evidence is discovered, and other factors can tip the balance, such that the benefits no longer outweigh the risks or burdens of continued treatment. Few, if any, medications should be continued on a lifelong basis. Patients and caregivers should be made aware of the planned duration of therapy and the outcomes desired and should feel empowered to follow up with providers to ensure that the benefits of therapy continue to outweigh the risks. The performance of medication reconciliation and transitions of care—such as admission to or discharge from a hospital—may serve as critical activities for deciding whether to continue therapy or create a plan to safely stop a medication.

2. Don’t use medication for long-term risk reduction if life expectancy is shorter than the time to benefit from the medication.

The “time to benefit” is the period between initiation of an intervention (in this case, a medication) and the point when the patient begins to experience a benefit. This period varies from one medication to another. Treatment with medication is usually not indicated unless the “time to benefit” is clearly shorter than the patient’s life expectancy and any potential adverse effects are deemed manageable. These factors are particularly relevant for older adults and those receiving palliative care.

3. Don’t continue a proton pump inhibitor at discharge unless there is a compelling reason to continue therapy.

In many cases, a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) is initiated for a valid indication, in cases where the benefits outweigh the risks. During a hospital stay, PPIs may be started for stress ulcer prophylaxis or for patients who will receive certain treatments that increase the likelihood of high-risk gastrointestinal conditions. After the patient’s risk for stress ulcer returns to baseline the PPI should be stopped. In addition, patients who did not require a PPI before their hospital admission typically will not need to continue taking one of these drugs after the underlying reason for PPI therapy has been addressed.