George et al developed the Medication Regimen Complexity Index (MRCI) to evaluate the complexity of a patient's drug therapy. The complexity of therapy can impact adherence and outcomes. The authors are from Monash University and The Alfred Hospital in Melbourne, Australia.
The MRCI consists of 3 subscores:
(1) dosage forms
(2) dosing frequency
(3) additional dosing instructions
Dosing frequencies scored 0.5 points:
(1) once daily prn
(2) prn or SOS
Dosing frequencies scored 1.0 points:
(1) once daily
(2) twice daily prn
(3) oxygen prn
Dosing frequencies scored 1.5 points:
(1) three times a day prn
(2) every 12 hours prn
Dosing frequencies scored 2.0 points:
(1) twice daily
(2) four times a day prn
(3) on alternating days or less frequently
(4) oxygen for <= 15 hours a day
(5) every 8 hours prn
Dosing frequencies scored 2.5 points:
(1) every 12 hours
(2) every 6 hours prn
Dosing frequencies scored 3.0 points:
(1) three times a day
(2) oxygen for > 15 hours a day
Dosing frequencies scored 3.5 points:
(1) every 8 hours
(2) every 4 hours prn
Dosing frequencies scored 4.0 points:
(1) four times a day
Dosing frequencies scored 4.5 points:
(1) every 6 hours
Dosing frequencies scored 6.5 points:
(1) every 4 hours
(2) every 2 hours prn
Dosing frequencies scored 12.5 points:
(1) every 2 hours
value for each dosing frequency =
= (weighting for each dosing frequency) * (number of drugs dosed with that frequency)
subscore for dosing frequency =
= SUM(values for all of the dosing frequencies)
