title: Automated Outreach for Cardiovascular-Related Medication Refill Reminders.
abstract: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an automated telephone system reminding patients with hypertension and/or cardiovascular disease to obtain overdue medication refills. The authors compared the intervention with usual care among patients with an overdue prescription for a statin or lisinopril-hydrochlorothiazide (lisinopril-HCTZ). The primary outcome was refill rate at 2 weeks. Secondary outcomes included time to refill and change in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and blood pressure. Significantly more patients who received a reminder call refilled their prescription compared with the usual-care group (statin cohort: 30.3% vs 24.9% [P<.0001]; lisinopril-HCTZ cohort: 30.7% vs 24.2% [P<.0001]). The median time to refill was shorter in patients receiving the reminder call (statin cohort: 29 vs 36 days [P<.0001]; lisinopril-HCTZ cohort: 24 vs 31 days [P<.0001]). There were no statistically significant differences in mean low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and blood pressure. These findings suggest the need for interventions that have a longer-term impact.
authors.affiliation: Department of Research & Evaluation, Kaiser Permanente Southern California, Pasadena, CA.
authors.forename: Teresa N
authors.initials: TN
authors.lastname: Harrison
authors.affiliation: Clinical Operations, Southern California Permanente Medical Group, Pasadena, CA.
authors.forename: Kelley R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Green
authors.affiliation: Department of Research & Evaluation, Kaiser Permanente Southern California, Pasadena, CA.
authors.forename: In-Lu Amy
authors.initials: IL
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Pharmacy Analytical Services, Kaiser Permanente Southern California, Downey, CA.
authors.forename: Southida S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Vansomphone
authors.affiliation: Orange County Medical Center, Southern California Permanente Medical Group, Anaheim, CA.
authors.forename: Joel
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Handler
authors.affiliation: West Los Angeles Medical Center, Southern California Permanente Medical Group, Los Angeles, CA.
authors.forename: Ronald D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Scott
authors.affiliation: Department of Research & Evaluation, Kaiser Permanente Southern California, Pasadena, CA.
authors.forename: T Craig
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Cheetham
authors.affiliation: Department of Research & Evaluation, Kaiser Permanente Southern California, Pasadena, CA.
authors.forename: Kristi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Reynolds
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006852:Hydrochlorothiazide / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017706:Lisinopril / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D055553:Prescription Drugs; D017010:Reminder Systems / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013689:Telephone
chemical_list: D004338:Drug Combinations; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D055553:Prescription Drugs; C091365:hydrochlorothiazide, lisinopril drug combination; D006852:Hydrochlorothiazide; D017706:Lisinopril