Falls remain one of the most serious safety concerns in skilled nursing environments, particularly among older adults with complex medication profiles. This published observational study, authored by Thomas Masterson, MD, MS, CMD, evaluates how a structured polypharmacy reduction program was associated with meaningful reductions in both medication burden and resident falls.
Published in Annals of Long-Term Care through HMP Global Learning Network, the study examined a 140-resident nursing home and used monthly provider feedback with targeted deprescribing guidance across hypertension, diabetes, psychiatric medications, PRN medications, and prescribing considerations for residents with ESRD. Average prescriptions per resident decreased from 13.3 to 9.7, while monthly falls decreased from 14.5 to 4.4, representing a 70 percent reduction.
This quality improvement study highlights the role of clinical leadership, medication review, and consistent provider feedback in reducing polypharmacy and improving resident safety in post-acute and long-term care settings.
Authored by Dr. Thomas Masterson and published in Annals of Long-Term Care, the study reinforces the importance of structured physician oversight, thoughtful deprescribing, and interdisciplinary quality processes as part of a broader fall mitigation strategy.
Read the published study to review the full methodology, findings, and clinical considerations behind the polypharmacy reduction program.
Download the Study