title: Improved patient safety and outcomes with a comprehensive interdisciplinary improvement initiative in kidney transplant recipients.
abstract: Although kidney transplant recipients at the authors' institution had a short length of stay (LOS), delayed discharges and early readmissions were common; medication use and safety were at the core of these issues. A multidisciplinary quality improvement initiative was developed that targeted eliminating these issues. The team developed key initiatives including improved medication reconciliation, development of a diabetes management service, and improved discharge medication dispensing, delivery, education, and scrutiny. Follow-up analysis demonstrated reduced medication discrepancies by >2 per patient and obtaining 100% adherence with reconciliation. Pharmacists reviewed discharge medications, reaching 100% by study end, leading to a 40% reduction in medication safety issues. LOS remained short, and delayed discharges were reduced by 14%; 7-day readmission rates decreased by 50%. Acute rejection and infection rates also significantly decreased. In conclusion, a multidisciplinary quality improvement initiative can improve medication safety in kidney transplant patients, which can lead to improved clinical outcomes.
authors: Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA. taberd@musc.edu
authors: David J
authors: DJ
authors: Taber
authors: Nicole A
authors: NA
authors: Pilch
authors: John W
authors: JW
authors: McGillicuddy
authors: Charles F
authors: CF
authors: Bratton
authors: Kenneth D
authors: KD
authors: Chavin
authors: Prabhakar K
authors: PK
authors: Baliga
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D008297:Male; D059065:Medication Reconciliation / Q000458:organization & administration; D008875:Middle Aged; D010346:Patient Care Management / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000458:organization & administration; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000458:organization & administration; D061214:Patient Safety; D058996:Quality Improvement / Q000458:organization & administration*; D044469:Racial Groups; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents