Implementation and evaluation of a pharmacy‐driven transitions of care program for patients discharged from the emergency department

Abstract

Purpose To evaluate a pharmacy‐driven post‐emergency department (ED) transitions of care program. Methods Patients admitted to the ED who receive primary care at a network clinic were eligible for inclusion. Pharmacy team members contacted patients within 7 days of ED discharge to perform medication reconciliation and assess for appropriate follow‐up. Following the calling period, rates of repeat ED visits, urgent care visits, hospitalizations, and clinic visits within 30 days of ED discharge were evaluated. Results Seventy percent of eligible patients were successfully contacted via phone. At least one new medication was prescribed in the ED to 61% of contacted patients, 22% of which were not picked up at the time of the call. Medication reconciliation was successfully completed during 87% of the phone calls, with 64% resulting in at least one identified medication discrepancy. A total of 230 pharmacist interventions were completed. Contacted patients had an adjusted 44% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 9–65) lower risk of subsequent ED visits compared with patients unable to be reached. Four percent of patients successfully contacted were admitted to the hospital within 30 days of ED discharge compared with 8% of patients unable to be reached (adjusted relative risk [RR]: 0.39; 95% CI: 0.18–0.84). Conclusion Patients who received post‐ED transitions of care calls were less likely to be seen again in the ED or be admitted to the hospital within 30 days. Follow‐up phone calls provided by pharmacy team members may be an effective tool to improve transitions of care following ED visits.

Pharmacy Transition Care Services during Mass Gathering Hajj in Saudi Arabia

“…Transitional care is the vital system in the hospital care and pharmacy services, had a significant role through improved patient care, prevent drug-related problems, prevent an additional unnecessary economic burden on the healthcare system. [5][6][7][8] The pharmacy transition care involved over several services with new admissions, patients transferred from any other healthcare services, or patients discharged to home care or other healthcare organizations. Some healthcare organizations implemented those services.…”

“…[5] Various studies showed an excellent impact on pharmacists during transition care services. [5][6][7][8] Based on the knowledge of the authors, they are not aware of any investigations or review discussed the pharmacy transition care services during mass gathering hajj period locally or Gulf and the Middle East or the rest of the world countries. [9,10] The aim of the project is to demonstrate the pharmacy transition care services during a mass gathering hajj period in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia.…”

National Mass Gathering Pharmaceutical Care Program at Healthcare Institution in Saudi Arabia

“…The mass gathering pharmacy transition care with importance on the medication reconciliation is a process necessary implemented to decrease medication errors and patient harm at hospital admission and it has been shown to be an active process. [26][27][28][29][30]…”