A Randomized Controlled Trial to Deprescribe for Older Patients With Polypharmacy (NCT02979353) | Clinical Trial Compass
CompletedNot Applicable
A Randomized Controlled Trial to Deprescribe for Older Patients With Polypharmacy
United States372 participantsStarted 2017-03-06
Plain-language summary
This randomized, controlled trial will evaluate the effects of an intervention to reduce exposure to medications among hospitalized older adults discharged to skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). The goal of the intervention is to safely deprescribe medications, as defined by dose reductions and stopped medications, based on a combination of clinical criteria and patient preferences. The investigators will evaluate the effects of the intervention on the total number of medications prescribed to patients at hospital and SNF discharge and at home 90-days after SNF discharge along with the prevalence of eight geriatric syndromes, medication adherence, and health status.
Who can participate
Age range
50 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Hospitalized at Vanderbilt University Medical Center
* Medicare-eligible
* Discharged from VUMC to a post acute care facility
* Has polypharmacy as defined by \> 5 medications
* Able to self-consent or has a proxy (surrogate)
* Speaks English (due to interview-based assessments)
* Primary home residence within one of 9 surrounding counties (due to home visit during follow-up phase)
Exclusion Criteria:
* Resides in long-term care
* Is currently on hospice or otherwise has a limited life expectancy (\< 6 months).
* Enrolled in a clinical drug trial
* Has Stage IV Cancer Diagnosis
* Incarcerated or homeless
* Unable to self-consent and does not have a surrogate
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Total Number of Medications
Timeframe: Hospital Discharge, Post-Acute Care Discharge, and 90 days after discharge from the PAC