Related Experiment Videos
Using technology to create a medication safety net for cardiac surgery patients: a nurse-led randomized control trial
Heather Sherrard1, Christine Struthers, Sharon Ann Kearns
1Clinical Services, University of Ottawa Heart Institute, 40 Ruskin Street, Ottawa, Ontario. hsherrard@ottawaheart.ca
Purpose:
Interactive voice response (IVR) technology was used to increase medication compliance and reduce adverse events (hospitalization and emergency visits) in post-cardiac surgery patients.
Method:
Patients randomized to intervention received 11 automated IVR calls in the six months after discharge. A total of 331 patients (164 IVR, 167 usual care) participated.
Results:
Findings showed significant differences in the IVR group for the primary composite outcome of compliance and adverse events (relative risk (RR] and 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.60 [0.37, 0.96), p = 0.041) and the secondary outcome of medication compliance (RR: 0.34 (0.20, 0.56), p < 0.0001). There was no significant impact on emergency room visits (RR: 1.04 (0.63, 1.73J) and hospitalization (RR: 0.77 [0.41, 1.45]). Most patients (93%) preferred IVR follow-up to no follow-up.
