Cost-effective drug regimen review program for home health care patients.
A prospective longitudinal study of a home health agency-based drug regimen review program was completed. A consultant pharmacist working collaboratively with home health nurses and physicians reduced medication utilization and costs to homebound patients. Within a 12 month period, medication utilization in 840 homebound patients was reduced by 27%. Projected total net medication cost saving per annum was $183,379.20 (e.g., $218.31 per patient reviewed). Implementation of similar drug regimen review programs in home-health agencies could improve patient care, prevent adverse drug reactions, and achieve cost-effective medication utilization.
D003253:Consultants; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000191:economics*; D006699:Home Care Services / Q000191:economics*; D006745:Hospital Bed Capacity, 300 to 499; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008923:Missouri; D010595:Pharmacists; D012308:Risk Management