Evaluating Medication Safety Metrics among Western New York Patients using HEALTHeLINK Data

This retrospective cohort study uses HealtheLink data to assess medication safety among primary care patients aged 65 and older. It evaluates current metrics, such as polypharmacy and deprescribing rates, and explores new measures to improve medication management. Findings will inform strategies to enhance medication safety and outcomes for older adults.

Principal Investigator(s)

David Jacobs, PharmD, PhD Department of Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Ranjit Singh, MB BChir, MBA Department of Family Medicine, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences

UB Researcher(s)

Robert Wahler, PharmD Department of Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Funding Source and Dates

Pilot project internally funded - seeking additional funding opportunities. 

Abstract

This retrospective cohort study aims to evaluate medication safety among primary care patients aged 65 years and older using data from HealtheLink (HeL). The primary objective is to assess existing medication safety metrics, focusing on polypharmacy and deprescribing (DeRx) rates. By leveraging the comprehensive data within HeL databases, the study seeks to identify current trends and potential areas for improvement in medication management.

In addition to evaluating existing metrics, the study has a secondary objective of developing and exploring new medication safety metrics. These new metrics could be integrated into HealtheLink to support medication safety initiatives within primary care practices. This dual approach aims to enhance the overall safety and efficacy of medication use among older adults.

The study population includes patients aged 65 years and older who are actively under the care of participating practices. While the exact sample size is yet to be determined, discussions with HealtheLink suggest a sample size exceeding 1,000 participants. As a retrospective, observational study, there is no specific duration for individual participants.

Overall, this study aims to provide valuable insights into medication safety practices and contribute to the development of new metrics that can be utilized by primary care providers to improve patient outcomes. 

Project Status

Active

Dissemination

  1. Wahler RG, Quach CPS, Hsu HF, Olbrich CM, Feuerstein S, Clark CM, MaCarthy LM, Dalton D, Jacobs D, Singh R. Incidence of central nervous system prescribing cascades in a Western New York Older Persons. American Geriatrics Society 2025 Annual Scientific Meeting. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. 2025;73(S1):S54. https://doi.org/10.1111/jgs.19450

  2. Murchison A, Feuerstein S, Casucci S, Jacobs DM, Singh R, Wahler RG. Prevalence of Potentially Inappropriate Medications and Associated Geriatric Syndromes from a Health Information Exchange database in Western New York. JACCP: JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF CLINICAL PHARMACY. 2023;6(12)33. https://doi.org/10.1002/jac5.1903

  3. Iqbal DN, Lu R, Feuerstein S, Daly CJ, Stoll J, Wahler RG, Singh R, Jacobs DM. Relationship Between Health-Related Social Needs and Healthcare Utilization Following Hospital Discharge. JACCP: JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF CLINICAL PHARMACY. 2023;6(12):1387-1517. 49. doi:https://doi.org/10.1002/jac5.1903

  4. Lu R, Stoll J, Iqbal DN, Wahler RG, Feuerstein S, Singh R, Jacobs DM. Multiple Chronic Conditions are Associated with Increased Risk of Healthcare Super-Utilization. JACCP: JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF CLINICAL PHARMACY. 2023;6(12):1387-1517. 71. doi:https://doi.org/10.1002/jac5.1903