title: Variations in pharmacy-based transition-of-care activities in the United States: a national survey.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  A national survey was conducted to assess pharmacist roles in transition-of-care (TOC) activities in the United States.
  
  
  METHODS
  An online survey was sent to 1246 pharmacy directors who were members of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists to assess their involvement in TOC activities including medication reconciliation, admission histories, medication counseling, and postdischarge follow-up; pharmacy student and pharmacy technician involvement in TOC activities; the use of technology to facilitate TOC activities; and barriers to performing such activities.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 393 respondents completed the survey (31.5% response rate). Twenty-seven percent of respondents indicated that pharmacists complete medication histories on admission, and 5% indicated that pharmacy technicians complete medication histories. Most respondents indicated that pharmacists do not routinely or consistently provide patients with tools to facilitate medication adherence before hospital discharge and that pharmacists do not routinely or consistently follow up with patients after discharge. Fifty-six percent of respondents indicated that pharmacists provide patient education for specific medications or for medications for specific diseases. Few respondents indicated that student pharmacists are involved with TOC activities. Most respondents either agreed or strongly agreed that it is important for pharmacists to be involved in TOC activities for hospitalized patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Approximately one third of survey respondents indicated that pharmacists complete medication histories. Most respondents indicated that pharmacists do not routinely or consistently provide patients with tools to facilitate medication adherence before hospital discharge or follow up with patients after discharge. Lack of pharmacy staff resources and insufficient recognition of the value of pharmacists' provision of TOC by health care executives, medical staff, nursing staff, and other health care professionals were the most frequently cited barriers to pharmacists assuming more significant roles in the TOC at the respondent's institution.
authors.affiliation: Kristine A. Kern, Pharm.D., is Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Veterans Affairs Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, MI. James S. Kalus, Pharm.D., BCPS (AQ-Infectious Diseases), is Senior Manager, Department of Pharmacy Services, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI. Colleen Bush, B.S., PRC, is Manager, Market Research; and David Chen, B.S.Pharm., M.B.A., is Director, Pharmacy Practice Sections and Section of Pharmacy Practice Managers, American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Bethesda, MD. Edward G. Szandzik, B.S.Pharm., M.B.A., is Director, Department of Pharmacy Services; and Nadia Z. Haque, Pharm.D., M.H.S.A., BCPS, is Pharmacy Manager, Department of Pharmacy Services, Henry Ford Hospital.
authors.forename: Kristine A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Kern
authors.forename: James S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Kalus
authors.forename: Colleen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bush
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Edward G
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: Szandzik
authors.forename: Nadia Z
authors.initials: NZ
authors.lastname: Haque
mesh_terms: D003266:Continuity of Patient Care / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008487:Medical History Taking / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055118:Medication Adherence; D059065:Medication Reconciliation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010351:Patient Discharge; D010595:Pharmacists / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010607:Pharmacy Service, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D024382:Professional Role; D012957:Societies, Pharmaceutical; D014481:United States