OBJECTIVE: To improve rational drug use and reduce potentially inappropriate medication (PIM). METHODS: PIM of 700 elderly inpatients in internal medicine department of our hospital was evaluated by Beers criteria(2012 edition)and STOPP/START criteria. RESULTS: 700 inpatients whose mean ages were (76.3±7.2) years old took (12.1±4.9) kinds of drugs per patient. 144 cases involved PIM (20.6%). The number of PIM was 220 in total, among which there were 117 cases/times related to drugs and 22 cases/times related to disease in according to Beers criteria, 9 cases/times of STOPP and 72 cases/times of START. Drug with most frequency of PIM in accordance with Beers was benzodiazepines and most frequency in STOPP was thiazides that used by patients with gout histonry. The most omission frequency of START prescription were absence of metformin therapy for type 2 diabetes and absence of antiplatelet therapy for diabetes complicated with cardiovascular risk. CONCLUSIONS: A high prevalence of PIM in elderly inpatients in our hospital requires various measures to prevent its occurrence.