Patient perceptions of a proton pump inhibitor therapeutic interchange program across the continuum of care.
OBJECTIVE
To determine if participation in a hospital-based proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapeutic interchange program resulted in differences in patient perceptions related to clinical and humanistic outcomes.


METHODS
A quasiexperimental repeated-measures study compared patients' perceptions in two groups (111 patients) at hospital admission, discharge, 3-4 days after discharge, and 2-3 weeks after discharge to detect differences across the continuum of care. Patient awareness of the hospital-based interchange also was examined. Clinical and quality-of-life outcomes were measured by using a condition-specific instrument modified for use with patients. Satisfaction and expectations were measured by using extent-of-agreement measures. Group 1 (60 patients) was prescribed omeprazole before admission, switched to lansoprazole during hospitalization, and discharged taking omeprazole. Group 2 (51 patients) was prescribed lansoprazole before admission and continued taking lansoprazole throughout hospitalization and after discharge. Patients who were unable to communicate or who had a substantial change in severity of illness (not attributable to gastrointestinal disorders) during the study were excluded.


RESULTS
No significant differences were found between groups 1 and 2 for clinical outcomes, quality of life, extent to which expectations were met, or satisfaction at the four time periods. Nineteen (36%) of 53 surveyed patients in group 1 were not aware that their therapy had been interchanged while in the hospital.


CONCLUSIONS
Patient-perceived outcomes and expectations of therapy across the continuum of care were not affected by a hospital-based PPI therapeutic interchange program.
Sodorff
Michelle M
MM
Center for Practice Improvement and Outcomes Research, Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska, USA. sodorfm@shmc.org
Galt
Kimberly A
KA
Galt
Michael A
MA
Turner
Paul D
PD
Lambrecht
Jason E
JE
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010465:Perception / Q000502:physiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D054328:Proton Pump Inhibitors; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D054328:Proton Pump Inhibitors