PI: Thomas Radomski, MD, MS
Funding Source: VA Merit
September 2025 - September 2029
The EVOLV-Rx VA study is a hybrid effectiveness-implementation project designed to reduce low-value prescribing among older Veterans who reside in Community Living Centers (VA Nursing Homes). Low-value prescribing—medications that provide little to no clinical benefit and may increase the risk of harm—is a widespread challenge in the care of older adults.
To address this, Dr. Tom Radomski and his team developed EVOLV-Rx, a novel clinical tool that identifies 18 evidence-based low-value prescribing practices. EVOLV-Rx was created and validated as part of Dr. Radomski’s NIH K23 Award, incorporating the expertise of clinicians as well as insights from patients and caregivers.
Building on this foundation, EVOLV-Rx VA will test an electronic dashboard that pharmacists can use during required medication reviews to provide deprescribing recommendations to clinicians. The study will be conducted in three phases: (1) working with Community Living Center partners to adapt the intervention and create an implementation playbook, (2) assessing the effectiveness of the intervention in reducing low-value prescribing, and (3) evaluating and refining implementation to ensure adoption and sustainability in practice.
By integrating evidence-based recommendations into routine care, this project aims to improve medication safety, reduce unnecessary prescribing, and enhance the quality of care for older Veterans.