scholarly journals Investigating the effect of clinical pharmacist intervention in transitions of care on drug-related hospital readmissions among the elderly: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. e036650
Author(s):  
Jonas Kindstedt ◽  
Sofia Svahn ◽  
Maria Sjölander ◽  
Eva-Lotta Glader ◽  
Hugo Lövheim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Pharmacist ◽  
Hospital Admissions ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Hospital Readmissions ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Pharmacist Intervention ◽  
Transitions Of Care ◽  
Ethical Review ◽  
Randomised Controlled ◽  
Clinical Pharmacist Intervention

IntroductionDrug-related problems (DRPs) are a major cause of unplanned hospital admissions among elderly people, and transitions of care have been emphasised as a key area for improving patient safety. We have designed a complex clinical pharmacist intervention that targets people ≥75 years of age undergoing transitions of care from hospital to home and primary care. The main objective is to investigate if the intervention can reduce the risk of unplanned drug-related readmission within the first 180 days after the person is discharged from hospital.Methods and analysisThis is a randomised, controlled, superiority trial with two parallel arms. A total of 700 people ≥75 years will be assigned to either intervention or routine care (control). The intervention, which aims to find and manage DRPs, is initiated within a week of the person being discharged from hospital and combines repeated medical chart reviews, phone interviews and in some cases medication reviews. People in both study arms may have been the subject of a medication review during their ward stay. As the primary outcome, we will measure time until unplanned drug-related readmission within 180 days of leaving hospital and use log rank tests and Cox proportional hazard models to analyse differences between the groups. Further investigations of subgroup effects and adjustments of the regression models will be based on heart failure and cognitive impairment as prognostic factors.Ethics and disseminationThe study has been approved by the Regional Ethical Review Board in Umeå (registration numbers 2017-69-31M, 2018-83-32M and 2018-254-32M). We intend to publish the results with open access in international peer-reviewed journals and present our findings at international conferences. The trial is expected to result in more than one published article and form part of two PhD theses.Trial registration numberNCT03671629

scholarly journals Cost-consequence analysis evaluating multifaceted clinical pharmacist intervention targeting patient transitions of care from hospital to primary care

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 123-130 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maja Kjaer Rasmussen ◽  
Lene Vestergaard Ravn-Nielsen ◽  
Marie-Louise Duckert ◽  
Mia Lolk Lund ◽  
Jolene Pilegaard Henriksen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Clinical Pharmacist ◽  
Pharmacist Intervention ◽  
Transitions Of Care ◽  
Consequence Analysis ◽  
Cost Consequence ◽  
Clinical Pharmacist Intervention

Diabetes Discharge Planning and Transitions of Care: A Focused Review

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 111-117 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robin L. Black ◽  
Courtney Duval
Keyword(s):  
Patient Outcomes ◽  
Hospital Admissions ◽  
Discharge Planning ◽  
Medication Management ◽  
Hospital Readmissions ◽  
The United States ◽  
Transitions Of Care ◽  
Discharge Process ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Diabetes Patients

Background: Diabetes is a growing problem in the United States. Increasing hospital admissions for diabetes patients demonstrate the need for evidence-based care of diabetes patients by inpatient providers, as well as the importance of continuity of care when transitioning patients from inpatient to outpatient providers. Methods: A focused literature review of discharge planning and transitions of care in diabetes, conducted in PubMed is presented. Studies were selected for inclusion based on content focusing on transitions of care in diabetes, risk factors for readmission, the impact of inpatient diabetes education on patient outcomes, and optimal medication management of diabetes during care transitions. American Diabetes Association (ADA) guidelines for care of patients during the discharge process are presented, as well as considerations for designing treatment regimens for a hospitalized patient transitioning to various care settings. Results: Multiple factors may make transitions of care difficult, including poor communication, poor patient education, inappropriate follow-up, and clinically complex patients. ADA recommendations provide guidance, but an individualized approach for medication management is needed. Use of scoring systems may help identify patients at higher risk for readmission. Good communication with patients and outpatient providers is needed to prevent patient harm. A team-based approach is needed, utilizing the skills of inpatient and outpatient providers, diabetes educators, nurses, and pharmacists. Conclusion: Structured discharge planning per guideline recommendations can help improve transitions in care for patients with diabetes. A team based, patient-centered approach can help improve patient outcomes by reducing medication errors, delay of care, and hospital readmissions.

scholarly journals A randomised controlled trial exploring the impact of a dedicated Health and Social Care Professionals team in the Emergency Department on the quality, safety, clinical and cost-effectiveness of care for older adults: Study Protocol

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marica Cassarino ◽  
Katie Robinson ◽  
Íde O’Shaughnessy ◽  
Eimear Smalle ◽  
Stephen White ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cost Effectiveness ◽  
Randomised Controlled Trial ◽  
Hospital Admissions ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Health And Social Care ◽  
Effectiveness Of Care ◽  
Randomised Controlled ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background : Older people are frequent Emergency Department (ED) users who present with complex issues that are linked to poorer health outcomes post-index visit, often have increased ED length of stay and tend to have raised healthcare costs. Encouraging evidence suggests that ED teams involving health and social care professionals (HSCPs) can contribute to enhanced patient flow and improved patient experience by improving care decision-making and thus promoting timely and effective care. However, the evidence supporting the impact of HSCPs teams assessing and intervening with older adults in the ED is limited and identifies important methodological limitations, highlighting the need for more robust and comprehensive investigations of this model of care. This study aims to evaluate the impact of a dedicated ED-based HSCP team on the quality, safety, clinical and cost-effectiveness of care of older adults when compared to usual care. Methods : The study is a single-site randomised controlled trial whereby patients aged ≥65 years who present to the ED of a large Irish hospital will be randomised to the experimental group (ED-based HSCP assessment and intervention) or the control group (usual ED care). The recruitment target is 320 participants. The HSCP team will provide a comprehensive functional assessment as well as interventions to promote a safe discharge for the patient. The primary outcome is ED length of stay (from arrival to discharge). Secondary outcomes include: rates of hospital admissions from the ED, ED re-visits, unplanned hospital admissions and healthcare utilisation at 30-days, four and six-month follow-up; patient functional status and quality of life (at baseline and follow-up); patient satisfaction; costs-effectiveness in terms of costs associated with ED-based HSCP compared to usual care; and perceptions on implementation by ED staff members. Discussion : This is the first randomised controlled trial testing the impact of HSCPs working in teams in the ED on the quality, safety, clinical and cost-effectiveness of care for older patients. The findings of the study will provide important information on the effectiveness of this model of care for future implementation. Trial registration : ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03739515; registered on 12 th November 2018. Protocol version 1. URL: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03739515

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