NUDGE-EHR Replication Trial at Mass General Brigham

Completed · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Aging, Benzodiazepine Sedative Adverse Reaction, Anticholinergic Adverse Reaction, Adverse Drug Event

In brief

Prescribing of potentially unsafe medications for older adults is extremely common; benzodiazepines and sedative hypnotics are, for example, key drug classes frequently implicated in adverse health consequences for vulnerable older adults, such as confusion or sedation, leading to hospitalizations, falls, and fractures. Fortunately, most of these consequences are preventable. Physicians' lack of awareness of alternatives, ambiguous practice guidelines, and perceived pressure from patients or caregivers are among the reasons why these drugs are used more than might be optimal. Reducing inappropriate use of these drugs may be achieved through decision support tools for providers that are embedded in electronic health record (EHR) systems. While EHR strategies are widely used to support the informational needs of providers, these tools have demonstrated only modest effectiveness at improving prescribing. The effectiveness of these tools could be enhanced by leveraging principles of behavioral economics and related sciences.

Key facts

Study ID: NCT05538065
Run by: Brigham and Women's Hospital
People needed: 201
Starts: 2022-11-10
Expected to finish: 2024-06-15
Last updated by the study team: 2025-05-21

Who can join

Age: 18 and older. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

Primary care provider at Mass General Brigham
Providers will receive these EHR tools for their patients who meet the following criteria:
older adults (aged 65 years or more)
who have been prescribed at least 90 pills of benzodiazepine or sedative hypnotic in the last 180 days.
Outcomes will be measured on the patient level.

You may not qualify if…

Where it is running

Mass General Brigham — Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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