title: Engaging patients in medication reconciliation via a patient portal following hospital discharge.
abstract: Few ambulatory medication reconciliation tools exist. Transitions between inpatient and outpatient care can result in medication discrepancies. An interdisciplinary team designed a new 'Secure Messaging for Medication Reconciliation Tool' (SMMRT) within a patient web portal and piloted it among 60 patients at a Veterans Affairs hospital, an integrated system with a shared electronic health record. Recently discharged patients used SMMRT to view their medications in a secure email message and replied using SMMRT's interactive form, verifying their medication regimens and clarifying any inaccuracies. In total, 108 medication discrepancies and 23 potential adverse drug events (ADEs) were seen. Nearly 50% of the potential ADEs were classified as serious. Overall, participants were enthusiastic about SMMRT; 90% said they would use SMMRT again. Enabling patients to conduct medication reconciliation through a web portal is feasible in the transition from inpatient to outpatient care and may improve medication safety.
authors.affiliation: Section of General Internal Medicine, Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
authors.forename: Leonie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Heyworth
authors.forename: Allison M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Paquin
authors.forename: Justice
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Clark
authors.forename: Victor
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Kamenker
authors.forename: Max
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stewart
authors.forename: Tracey
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: Steven R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Simon
mesh_terms: D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions / Q000517:prevention & control; D006787:Hospitals, Veterans; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D016347:Medical Records Systems, Computerized; D059065:Medication Reconciliation / Q000379:methods*; D010351:Patient Discharge; D010358:Patient Participation; D010865:Pilot Projects; D014481:United States
keywords: Adverse Drug Events; Health Information Technology; Medication Reconciliation; Patient Web Portal; Patient-Centered Care; Transitions in Care
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