This paper is to analyze the impact of ambulatory care pharmacists on reduction of 30-day readmission rates of HDF （hospital discharge follow-up） patients and to assess a link between readmission rates and medicatio...This paper is to analyze the impact of ambulatory care pharmacists on reduction of 30-day readmission rates of HDF （hospital discharge follow-up） patients and to assess a link between readmission rates and medication appointment compliance as well as medication discrepancies. This was a retrospective, single-center study that included all adult patients scheduled for HDF appointments at the UIM （university internal medicine） clinic of the MUSC （Medical University of South Carolina） from May 1, 2013 through December 31, 2013. A total of 470 patients were included with 190 patients attended their scheduled HDF appointments with their PCPs （primary care providers） and the ambulatory care pharmacists, and 280 patients attended their scheduled HDF appointments only with their PCPs. The 30-day readmission rate was 22% in patients who attended HDF appointments with both of the healthcare providers versus 41% in patients who attended HDF appointments only with their PCPs （P 〈 0.05）. Medication errors and discrepancies are common during transitions of care. However, ambulatory care pharmacists play a crucial role in significantly reducing 30-day readmission rates after hospital discharge by providing thorough and complete medication reconciliation services.展开更多
文摘This paper is to analyze the impact of ambulatory care pharmacists on reduction of 30-day readmission rates of HDF （hospital discharge follow-up） patients and to assess a link between readmission rates and medication appointment compliance as well as medication discrepancies. This was a retrospective, single-center study that included all adult patients scheduled for HDF appointments at the UIM （university internal medicine） clinic of the MUSC （Medical University of South Carolina） from May 1, 2013 through December 31, 2013. A total of 470 patients were included with 190 patients attended their scheduled HDF appointments with their PCPs （primary care providers） and the ambulatory care pharmacists, and 280 patients attended their scheduled HDF appointments only with their PCPs. The 30-day readmission rate was 22% in patients who attended HDF appointments with both of the healthcare providers versus 41% in patients who attended HDF appointments only with their PCPs （P 〈 0.05）. Medication errors and discrepancies are common during transitions of care. However, ambulatory care pharmacists play a crucial role in significantly reducing 30-day readmission rates after hospital discharge by providing thorough and complete medication reconciliation services.
