A PROSPECTIVE INTERVENTIONAL STUDY TO MONITOR, EVALUATE AND IMPROVE THE MEDICATION RECONCILIATION PROCESS IN GERIATRIC INPATIENTS AT MAJOR TRAUMA CARE CENTRE BY THE INCORPORATION OF MATCH TOOLKIT – A CLINICAL PHARMACIST PERSPECTIVE

Background: Medication reconciliation is an essential step in ensuring patient safety, particularly among the elderly, who are more prone to medication-related errors. Discrepancies often occur during transitions of care due to incomplete communication or missing medication details. Clinical pharmacists play a key role in minimizing such errors by carefully reviewing and reconciling medications. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate and improve the medication reconciliation process in geriatric inpatients using the MATCH (Medications at Transitions and Clinical Handoffs) Toolkit and to highlight the contribution of clinical pharmacists in enhancing patient safety. Methodology: A prospective interventional study was conducted at Ganga Medical Centre and Hospital, Coimbatore, from February to July 2024, involving 600 inpatients aged above 50 years. Data were collected using the MATCH Toolkit and the Best Possible Medication History (BPMH). Discrepancies were categorized (A–D) based on their clinical importance and analyzed during admission, consultant review, internal transfer and discharge. Statistical analysis was done using QI Macros software. Results: Among the initial 400 cases, 71.5% showed medication deviations, which reduced to 21.5% after implementing the MATCH Toolkit. Most deviations were minor (Category A) and no serious errors (Category D) were found. The reduction was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The introduction of the MATCH Toolkit, combined with active pharmacist involvement, significantly improved the medication reconciliation process and reduced discrepancies in geriatric trauma patients.