EHR nudges aim to curb dangerous pill overload in seniors

NCT ID NCT05656560

Ongoing Disease control Sponsor: Northwestern University Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tests whether simple electronic alerts in doctors' charts can reduce high-risk polypharmacy—taking multiple medications that may interact dangerously—in older adults, especially those with dementia. About 786 patients from primary care clinics will be included. Doctors receive either a commitment nudge, a justification nudge, both, or none, and the study tracks changes in medication safety over 18 months.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: behavioral nudges (commitment and justification prompts in electronic health records)
What this could lead to: If successful, this could give doctors a simple, low-cost tool to reduce dangerous medication combinations in older adults, potentially preventing falls and drug reactions.
What could go wrong: This is a pragmatic trial testing behavioral prompts, not a new drug. The effect may be small, and results might not apply to all clinics or patients.

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As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

POLYPHARMACY

Contacts and locations

Locations

Northwestern Medicine

Chicago, Illinois, 60611, United States
UPMC

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15213, United States

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