title: Transitional Care Units: Expanding the Role of Pharmacists Providing Patient Care.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe two innovative practice models that expand pharmacy services within a nursing facility's transitional care unit (TCU) to meet the needs of patients transitioning to subacute or community care.
  
  
  METHODS
  TCU in a hospital-based vs. a community-based facility.
  
  
  METHODS
  The two TCUs involved in these practices differ in that one is hospital-owned and the other is community-based and run by a nonprofit organization. Patients involved in the models are those who have been admitted to the TCU from a hospital and will eventually return home to the community.
  
  
  METHODS
  Pharmacy services beyond the federally required, monthly drug regimen review are described, including pharmacist-conducted medication reconciliation, which identifies the drugs the patient is taking on admission and those prescribed before discharge from the TCU. Post-TCU discharge follow-up is also provided via telephone call or home visit.
  
  
  METHODS
  Description of practice models.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Timely medication reconciliation and review on TCU admission is key to safe medication use during transitions of care. Incorporating pharmacy students and residents can promote awareness of the service. Partnerships with health systems and colleges or schools of pharmacy can provide financial support of these innovative practice models.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pharmacist-driven medication reconciliation and review can improve medication safety across transitions of care involving TCUs. Research is needed to evaluate the impact of these models on outcomes before they are replicated.
authors.affiliation: Frederick Memorial Hospital, Frederick, Maryland, USA.
authors.forename: Andrea C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Backes
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cash
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jordan
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D005791:Patient Care; D010595:Pharmacists; D024382:Professional Role; D000069341:Transitional Care