Evaluation of medication changes following severe COVID-19 infection: a multicentre evaluation

MacTavish, P., McPeake, J. , Breslin, A., Forrest, R., Kishore, R., MacGregor, F., Oprey, A., Quasim, T. and Shaw, M. (2021) Evaluation of medication changes following severe COVID-19 infection: a multicentre evaluation. BMJ Open Respiratory Research, 8(1), e001037. (doi: 10.1136/bmjresp-2021-001037)

Abstract

Background: Critically ill patients often experience several transitions of care following critical illness. Research has explored the challenges which patients have with medication management across these transitions. It is unclear whether patients admitted to critical care due to COVID-19 will have similar challenges. The aim of this study was to explore medication management in critical care survivors following severe COVID-19. Methods: Between 3 and 7 months post hospital discharge, patients who had been admitted to critical care due to severe COVID-19 were invited to an established recovery service. During the clinic consultation a medication review was performed by a pharmacist. This included medicines reconciliation, assessing the appropriateness of each of the prescribed medications and identification of medication changes. We also assessed changes to pain management in the discharge period. Results: In total, 78 patients had a full medication review available. Over 70% of patients were taking an increased dose of medicine or a new medicine at clinic. There was a significant overall increase in new medication during the clinic consultation, across different British National Formulary classifications (OR: 1.73 (95% CI: 1.28 to 2.34), p<0.001). Compared with pre critical care admission, there was a significant increase in the number of patients taking regular analgesia following severe COVID-19 infection (23 (29.5%) vs 39 (50%), p<0.001). Conclusion: Following severe COVID-19, patients may require new or increasing doses of medicines. Ongoing review of these patients is crucial to ensure optimal outcomes.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Mactavish, Mrs Pamela and Quasim, Professor Tara and MacGregor, Miss Fiona and Shaw, Dr Martin and McPeake, Dr Jo
• Authors: MacTavish, P., McPeake, J., Breslin, A., Forrest, R., Kishore, R., MacGregor, F., Oprey, A., Quasim, T., and Shaw, M.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Health; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing
• Journal Name: BMJ Open Respiratory Research
• Publisher: BMJ Publishing Group
• ISSN: 2052-4439
• ISSN (Online): 2052-4439
• Published Online: 06 December 2021
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2021 The Authors
• First Published: First published in BMJ Open Respiratory Research 8(1): e001037
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License