MedOptz (Title III-D Program)

Program Goals:
-Identify older adults at highest risk for medication problems for referral to a pharmacist for medication management services
-Assist in problem identification and clinical decision-making when evaluating complex medication regimens to identify, resolve and prevent medication-related problems
-Facilitate identification, prevention and resolution of actual and potential medication-related problems in community-dwelling older adults
-Aid in evaluation of medications as a cause or aggravating factor contributing to an older adult’s physical, cognitive or functional decline
-Facilitate incorporation of medication monitoring information into the older adult’s plan of care
-Improve health, maintain or improve physical functioning and reduce health care costs.

Target Audience:
-Community-based organization serving older adults with one or more chronic diseases and/or conditions treated with medications

Program Description:
-MedOptz is a web-based, HIPAA-compliant, evidence-based clinical tool for use with adults age 60 and older that (1) identifies medications that may cause, aggravate, or contribute to common geriatric problems, including medications potentially inappropriate for use in older adults and drugs with anticholinergic properties; and (2) provides medication-monitoring recommendations to foster early recognition of medication problems that can be avoided, managed, or reversed
-MedOptz can be utilized by community-based organizations serving older adults in conjunction with an experienced geriatric pharmacist
-MedOptz is designed to enable non-pharmacist care providers to identify older adults at risk for medication problems and refer those at highest risk to a pharmacist for medication management services
-Criteria for referral are determined by the agency in collaboration with the pharmacist
-Medications are easily entered using key stroke lus the drop-down menu
-MedOptz generates a complete medication list
-Interventions and outcomes can be documented and tracked in MedOptz