Postdischarge interventions by pharmacists and impact on hospital readmission rates

To determine whether a difference exists in hospital readmission rates at 60 days postdischarge between patients who saw (intervention group) or did not see (control group) a pharmacist within 60 days of discharge and to describe the number and type of pharmacist interventions.

Retrospective electronic record review.

Austin, TX, from January 2006 to January 2010.

131 adult patients aged 18 to 65 years who were on at least three prescription medications.

Pharmacist visit within 60 days post-hospital discharge.

Hospital readmission rates at 60 days postdischarge.

The intervention and control groups did not differ regarding age or gender, but the control group had a higher percentage of whites, fewer medications, and fewer diseases. Chi-square analyses revealed that of 65 patients in the control group, 28 (43.1%) were readmitted to the hospital within 60 days of discharge compared with 12 of 66 (18.2%) intervention group patients (P = 0.0020). Pharmacists provided approximately two interventions per patient. The most frequently provided pharmacist interventions were medication counseling (88.1%) and drug dosage adjustment (52.2%).

Patients on multiple prescription medications and with chronic diseases may benefit from a pharmacist visit within 60 days of hospital discharge. However, future studies are needed to further determine the effectiveness of pharmacists' interventions post-hospital discharge.