scholarly journals Incorporating Oral Health Considerations for Medication Management in Care Transitions

Pharmacy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 67
Author(s):  
Kimberly A. Sanders ◽  
Christine L. Downey ◽  
Anita Yang ◽  
Brooke K. Baker

Transitions of care involve multifaceted considerations for patients, which can pose significant challenges if factors like oral health are overlooked when evaluating medication management. This article examines how oral health factors should be considered in medication management of patients who may be at risk for hospital readmission. This article also explores successes and challenges of a pharmacy consult service integrated into a dental clinic practice, and the opportunities within that setting to improve overall patient outcomes including those related to care transitions.

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 111-117 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robin L. Black ◽  
Courtney Duval

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.


2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 250-259
Author(s):  
Joshua Lee Denson ◽  
Julie Knoeckel ◽  
Sara Kjerengtroen ◽  
Rachel Johnson ◽  
Bryan McNair ◽  
...  

BackgroundHospitalised patients whose inpatient teams rotate off service experience increased mortality related to end-of-rotation care transitions, yet standardised handoff practices are lacking.ObjectiveDevelop and implement a multidisciplinary patient-centred handoff intervention to improve outcomes for patients who are critically ill during end-of-rotation transitions.Design, setting and participantsSingle-centre, controlled pilot study of medical intensive care unit (ICU) patients whose resident team was undergoing end-of-rotation transition at a university hospital from June 2017 to February 2018.InterventionA 4-item intervention was implemented over two study periods. Intervention 1 included: (1) in-person bedside handoff between teams rotating off and on service, (2) handoff checklist, (3) nursing involvement in handoff, and (4) 30 min education session. Intervention 2 included the additional option to conduct bedside handoff via videoconferencing.Main outcome measuresImplementation was measured by repeated clinician surveys and direct observation. Patient outcomes included length of stay (LOS; ICU and hospital) and mortality (ICU, hospital and 30 days). Clinician perceptions were modelled over time using per cent positive responses in logistic regression. Patient outcomes were compared with matched control ‘transition’ patients from 1 year prior to implementation of the intervention.ResultsAmong 270 transition patients, 46.3% were female with a mean age of 55.9 years. Mechanical ventilation (64.1%) and in-hospital death (27.6%) rates were prevalent. Despite high implementation rates—handoff participation (93.8%), checklist utilisation (75.0%), videoconferencing (62.5%), nursing involvement (75.0%)—the intervention did not significantly improve LOS or mortality. Multidisciplinary survey data revealed significant improvement in acceptability by nursing staff, while satisfaction significantly declined for resident physicians.ConclusionsIn this controlled pilot study, a structured ICU end-of-rotation care transition strategy was feasible to implement with high fidelity. While mortality and LOS were not affected in a pilot study with limited power, the pragmatic strategy of this intervention holds promise for future trials.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S192-S193
Author(s):  
Brett Young ◽  
Scott Bergman ◽  
Trevor C Van Schooneveld ◽  
Nicolas W Cortes-Penfield ◽  
Bryan Alexander

Abstract Background Our large academic medical center initiated both an Outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy (OPAT) program supported by an infectious disease trained pharmacist, along with an Orthopedic Infectious Disease (OID) consult service to assist in caring for these specialized populations. We measured the impact of these services. Methods Patients discharged on parenteral antimicrobial therapy were divided into two groups. The pre-OPAT cohort included all patient receiving OPAT from 4/1/18 - 10/31/18; the post-OPAT cohort included all patients who received OPAT from 4/1/19 - 10/31/19 with OPAT consult (Fig 1). The OID consult service began in September 2018 prior to initiation of the OPAT program. The primary outcome was 30-day hospital readmission. Secondary outcomes included: length of stay (LOS), 90-day readmission, clinical outcomes, and identification of predictors of hospital readmission. Clinical outcomes included: time from final OR visit to discharge for OID patients and optimal treatment (cefazolin, oxacillin, or nafcillin) for MSSA. Results Introduction of these programs was associated with a reduction in all-cause 30-day readmission from 39.3% to 22.9%, and a reduction in 30-day readmission for patients on-treatment from 24.6% to 15.6% (p< 0.01 for both). No difference was seen in hospital LOS (8 days in each cohort). In a subgroup analysis (Fig 2), OID patients in the post-OPAT cohort saw a median reduction of 2 days (7 days to 5 days, p=0.002) in time from final OR visit to discharge. Use of optimal treatments for MSSA increased in the post-OPAT cohort compared to pre-OPAT (65.2% to 80.9%; p=0.06). The 90-day hospital readmission rate were higher in the post-OPAT cohort among patients who lived in metro-area zip codes (p=0.03). Having an established primary care physician was associated with lower 90-day hospital readmission in both the pre-and post-OPAT cohorts (p=0.05 and 0.01, respectively). Conclusion Thirty-day readmission rates among patients discharged on OPAT significantly lowered following initiation of a combination of both a pharmacist-led OPAT program and OID consult service. OPAT and OID programs accrue additional efficiencies and clinical benefits to both patients and hospitals, which can be further evaluated and used to justify such service additions. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 804-804
Author(s):  
Kenneth Miller

Abstract The transitions between medical settings, the community and back again is a complex and intimidating process for patients, families and caregivers. These transitions are vulnerable points where planning is key and must begin at the initial examination with rehabilitation providers (PTs/OTs,SLPs). These providers are key members of the healthcare team to facilitate effective transition management. In this session, attendees will learn the critical factors rehabilitation providers use to evaluate patients in order to facilitate successful care transitions. An overview of the indications for rehabilitation referral will be presented, as well as evidence for effective rehabilitation strategies. The speaker will present tools from the American Physical Therapy Association Home Health Toolbox and outline a decision-making process for care transitions based on the individual, caregivers, and health care providers to achieve successful transitions that reduce resource use and hospital readmission rates. Attendees will learn strategies to facilitate inter-professional collaboration, communication, and advocacy.


Stroke ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 43 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle M Winfield ◽  
Julie A McNeil ◽  
Stephanie L Steiner ◽  
Christopher F Manacci ◽  
Damon Kralovic ◽  
...  

Background: In evaluating the acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patient, targeting time intervals for imaging and treatment times are paramount in optimizing outcomes. Initial evaluation by skilled providers who can facilitate the extension of a tertiary care facility can positively influence patient outcomes. A collaborative approach with a hospital based Critical Care Transport (CCT) Team can extend primary stroke program care out to a referring facility’s bedside. In the Cleveland Clinic Health System, the suspicion of a large vessel occlusion causing AIS in patients at an outside hospital triggers an “Auto Launch” process, bypassing typical transfer processes to expedite care transitions for patients with time sensitive emergencies. Referring facilities contact a CCT Coordinator, with immediate launching of the transport team that consists of an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP) who evaluates the patient at outside facility, performs NIHSS and transitions the patient directly to CT/MRI upon return to Cleveland Clinic facility. Patient is met by the Stroke Neurology Team at CT scanner for definitive care. A CCT Team with an ACNP on board can augment not only door to CT and MRI times, but also time to evaluation by a stroke neurologist and time to intervention, bypassing the Emergency Department upon their arrival and proceeding directly to studies and/or time sensitive intervention as appropriate. Objective: To describe a stroke program with a coordinated approach with a CCT Team to facilitate rapid care transitions as well as decreased time to imaging in patients with AIS by having an ACNP on board during transport and throughout the continuum of care. Methods: A retrospective audit of a database of patients undergoing hyperacute evaluation of acute ischemic stroke symptoms from April 30, 2010 to July 31, 2011 was performed. Demographic information, types of imaging performed, hyperacute therapies administered and time intervals to imaging modalities and treatment were collected and analyzed. Results: 107 patients total, 28 males, and 36 females with a mean age of 70 were included in the analysis. 60% [64] of patients transferred via the CCT Team over 26.42 average nautical miles. The mean time of call to arrival was 1 hr and 19 min. The CCT Team monitored tPA infusion in 27 patients and initiated tPA infusion in 2 patients. 64 patients had CT imaging performed and 64 had MRI performed following the CT. [The average door to CT completion was 22 min, the average door to MRI completion was 1 hr and 29 min, compared to 1 hr and 8 min and 2 hr and 36 min, respectively, in patients not arriving by CCT Team], p<0.05. Conclusion: Collaboration between the Stroke Neurology Team and CCT Team has allowed acute ischemic stroke patients to be taken directly to CT/MRI scanner, allowing for rapid evaluation, definitive treatment decisions, and the potential for improved patient outcomes by decreasing the door to imaging time.


2019 ◽  
pp. 293-312
Author(s):  
Kimberly Kopecky ◽  
Pringl Miller

Care transitions are a hot topic in healthcare delivery, research, and policy today because national patient quality and safety data have identified transition of care as a critical time during a patient’s care continuum when both quality and safety are potentially compromised. Poorly executed transitions of care are associated with preventable adverse events and hospital readmissions that are burdensome to patients and their caregivers, correlating to suboptimal outcomes and exorbitant costs. Therefore, reducing both adverse events during a care transition and hospital readmission rates is a matter of clinical and policy priority. High-risk surgical patients are particularly vulnerable to preventable adverse events and readmissions during care transitions because of the complexity of their care needs. To address this problem, governmental and other healthcare organizations are allocating resources and investing in research initiatives to improve, refine, and standardize the transition-of-care process in order to optimize quality of care throughout a patient’s care continuum.


BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. e033303 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natali Jokanovic ◽  
Parisa Aslani ◽  
Sophie Carter ◽  
Mai Duong ◽  
Danijela Gnjidic ◽  
...  

ObjectiveTo develop information leaflets for older inpatients and/or their carers to support deprescribing of antipsychotics, benzodiazepines/Z-drugs and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs).DesignAn iterative mixed-methods approach involving face-to-face user testing and semi-structured interviews was performed over three rounds with consumers and hospital health professionals.SettingSydney, New South Wales, Australia.ParticipantsThirty-seven consumers (or their carers) aged 65 years or older admitted to hospital in the previous 5 years and taking at least one regular medicine (not the medicine tested) completed user testing. Health professionals included a convenience sample of seven pharmacists and five doctors.MethodsThe antipsychotic leaflet was tested in round 1 (consumers, n=10) and revised and retested in round 2 (consumers, n=9; health professionals, n=5). Findings from rounds 1 and 2 informed the design of the benzodiazepine/Z-drug and PPI leaflets tested in round 3 (benzodiazepine/Z-drug consumers, n=9; health professionals, n=7; PPI consumers, n=9). Findings from round 3 informed the final design of all leaflets. Consumer user testing involved 12–13 questions to evaluate consumers’ ability to locate and understand information in the leaflet. Usability by health professionals was assessed using the System Usability Scale (SUS).ResultsAt least 80% of consumers correctly found and understood the deprescribing information in the leaflets (9 of 12 information points in round 1 (antipsychotic); 10 of 12 in round 2; 12 of 13 (benzodiazepine/Z-drug) and 11 of 12 (PPI) in round 3). Consumers perceived the leaflets to be informative, well-designed and useful aids for ongoing medication management. The SUS scores obtained from health professionals were 91.0±3.8 for the antipsychotic leaflet and 86.4±6.6 for the benzodiazepine/Z-drug leaflet, indicating excellent usability.ConclusionsUnderstandable and easy-to-use consumer information leaflets were developed and tested by consumers and health professionals. The feasibility and utility of these leaflets to support deprescribing at transitions of care should be explored in clinical practice.


2021 ◽  
Vol 91 ◽  
pp. 103299
Author(s):  
S.M. Hannum ◽  
E. Abebe ◽  
Y. Xiao ◽  
R. Brown ◽  
I.M. Peña ◽  
...  

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S708-S708
Author(s):  
Ebony Andrews ◽  
Travonia Brown-Hughes ◽  
Ronald Lyon ◽  
Shanea D Parker ◽  
Brad Lazernick

Abstract Transitional care programs have emerged as successful models of care in which to reduce cost and improve health outcomes. However, few transitional care models have directly incorporated the expertise of the pharmacist as an integral member of the care coordination team. Therein lies an inherent limitation of many community-based transitional care programs, the underutilization of pharmacist during all stages of the care transition process. In 2013, the Hampton Roads Care Transitions Project (HRCTP), a partnership between Senior Services of Southeastern Virginia Area Agency on Aging in Norfolk, VA and Hampton University School of Pharmacy, was established. The goal of the HRCTP is to provide medication management services to reduce preventable hospital readmissions for adults 60 years of age and older with targeted diagnoses. Pharmacists work in collaboration with social workers who act as HRCTP care transition coaches. Between May 2017- October 2018, 678 patients were enrolled in the HRCTP. The hospital readmission rate among patients with targeted diagnoses was reduced by 55.3% with an absolute percentage point reduction of 9.9% and estimated savings amount per avoided readmission of $14,400. Patients who participated in the HRCTP showed a 14% increase in the Patient Activation Assessment indicating an improvement in self-managing efficacy. 93% of patients/caregivers indicated they felt more confident in their ability to manage their health, and 91% expressed satisfaction with the program. The program has proven effective in assisting seniors to remain in their home, reducing hospitalizations, promoting health, increasing patient satisfaction, and reducing healthcare cost.


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