Impact of an Integrated Pharmacy Transitions of Care Pilot Program in an Urban Hospital.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effectiveness of an integrated Pharmacy Transitions of Care (PTC) pilot program on reducing hospital readmissions and improving patient satisfaction.


METHODS
This prospective observational cohort study compares patients who participated in the PTC program to a control of usual hospital discharged patients during January through April 2014. The PTC program provided discharge medication review, medication counseling, delivery of medications to bedside, clinic scheduling, and follow-up phone calls. The primary outcome measure was 30-day readmissions. Secondary outcomes included emergency department (ED) visits, pharmacist interventions, and patient satisfaction.


RESULTS
Seventy patients participated in the PTC program. Compared to the control (n = 725), the study group had decreased 30-day all-cause readmissions (5.7% vs 13.8%, P = .08), 30-day readmissions for the same diagnosis (2.9% vs 8.1%, P = .18), and ED visits (18.6% vs 25%, P = .82). Twenty-five interventions during discharge medication review included discontinuation of unnecessary medications and correction of medication dose or frequency. The majority of patients were satisfied with the medication education provided (94%) and the timely delivery of prescriptions to bedside (96%).


CONCLUSIONS
There was no significant difference in 30-day readmission rates. However, pharmacists were able to make a positive impact on patient satisfaction and improve understanding of medications during discharge.
Brookdale University Hospital and Medical Center, Department of Pharmacy, One Brookdale Plaza, Brooklyn, NY, USA schristy@bhmcny.org.
Shannon
S
Christy
Long Island University, Arnold and Marie Schwartz College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Division of Pharmacy Practice, New York, NY, USA.
Billy
B
Sin
Long Island University, Arnold and Marie Schwartz College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Division of Pharmacy Practice, New York, NY, USA.
Suzanna
S
Gim
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D059065:Medication Reconciliation; D008875:Middle Aged; D063046:Patient Medication Knowledge; D010359:Patient Readmission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010360:Patient Transfer / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010607:Pharmacy Service, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D055815:Young Adult
discharge; education; pharmacy; readmissions; transitions of care