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. 2015 Dec;63(12):e1-e7.
doi: 10.1111/jgs.13701. Epub 2015 Oct 8.

How to Use the American Geriatrics Society 2015 Beers Criteria-A Guide for Patients, Clinicians, Health Systems, and Payors

Affiliations

How to Use the American Geriatrics Society 2015 Beers Criteria-A Guide for Patients, Clinicians, Health Systems, and Payors

Michael A Steinman et al. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2015 Dec.

Abstract

The Beers Criteria are a valuable tool for clinical care and quality improvement but may be misinterpreted and implemented in ways that cause unintended harms. This article describes the intended role of the 2015 American Geriatrics Society (AGS) Beers Criteria and provides guidance on how patients, clinicians, health systems, and payors should use them. A key theme underlying these recommendations is to use common sense and clinical judgment in applying the 2015 AGS Beers Criteria and to remain mindful of nuances in the criteria. The criteria serve as a "warning light" to identify medications that have an unfavorable balance of benefits and harms in many older adults, particularly when compared with pharmacological and nonpharmacological alternatives. However, there are situations in which use of medications included in the criteria can be appropriate. As such, the 2015 AGS Beers Criteria work best not only when they identify potentially inappropriate medications, but also when they educate clinicians and patients about the reasons those medications are included and the situations in which their use may be more or less problematic. The criteria are designed to support, rather than supplant, good clinical judgment.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of interest: Drs. DuBeau and Laird and Ms. Lundebjerg had no conflicts of interest with the topics discussed in this manuscript. Dr. Beizer is an author and editor for LexiComp, Inc. Dr. Mulhausen is the Chief Medical Officer of Telligen, Inc. Dr. Steinman is a consultant for Iodine.com, a web start-up company.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
How to read a Beers criterion: an example
Figure 2
Figure 2. Optimal use of the AGS 2015 Beers Criteria – A Case Example
Ms. A is an 82 year-old woman who is visiting Dr. B for the first time. Dr. B reviews the patient’s medication list and sees that she is taking amiodarone to treat atrial fibrillation. She has been on this medication for several years and reported “no problems” with it during visits with her previous provider.

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