Evaluation of patient care interventions and recommendations by a transitional care pharmacist

K Bruce Bayley¹, Lucy A Savitz², Teresa Maddalone³, Stephen E Stoner⁴, Jacquelyn S Hunt⁵, Robert Wells⁶

¹Center for Outcomes Research and Education, Providence Health and Services, Portland, Oregon, USA; ²Abt Associates, Durham, North Carolina, USA; ³Providence Physician Division, Providence Health and Services, Portland, Oregon, USA; ⁴Regional Clinical Pharmacy Services, Providence Health and Services, Portland, Oregon, USA; ⁵Providence Physician Group, Providence Health and Services, Portland, Oregon, USA; ⁶Providence Portland Medical Center, Providence Health and Services, Portland, Oregon, USA

Abstract: A “transitional care pharmacist” (TCP) was deployed within an acute care setting to identify opportunities for improved continuity of care. The provision of medication reconciliation services, drug consultation, patient counseling and planning for after-hospital care was time consuming but also fruitful, resulting in roughly nine interventions per patient. Areas with the greatest potential for morbidity reduction were the resumption of home medications during the acute stay and at discharge. Allergy identification was a key contribution at admission, as was the provision of a detailed follow-up plan at discharge. Targeting high-risk patients and spreading portions of the work to other disciplines could achieve added efficiency in this service. Results have value to hospitals implementing medication reconciliation programs.

Keywords: patient safety, medication reconciliation, transitional care, pharmacist