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Published on: April 19, 2019

Underutilization of cardiovascular medications: effect of a continuity-of-care program

Emily N Israel1, T Michael Farley, Karen B Farris

  • 1University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.

American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy : AJHP : Official Journal of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists
|August 31, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Enhanced pharmacist interventions did not improve the underutilization of cardiovascular medications. Communication efforts with patients and providers did not change medication use patterns during or after hospitalization.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular medicine
  • Health services research
  • Pharmaceutical care

Background:

  • Underutilization of key cardiovascular medications remains a challenge in patient care.
  • Hospital pharmacists play a crucial role in medication management and patient communication.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of enhanced communication by hospital pharmacists on the underutilization of cardiovascular medications.
  • To assess if pharmacist interventions improve medication adherence and guideline adherence.

Main Methods:

  • A randomized controlled trial involving 732 patients with cardiovascular conditions.
  • Three groups: minimal intervention, enhanced intervention, and usual care.
  • Pharmacy case managers (PCMs) reconciled medications, identified problems, and made recommendations.

Main Results:

  • No significant differences in medication underutilization were observed among the three study groups.
  • Enhanced pharmacist interventions did not alter the rate of cardiovascular medication underutilization.
  • Underutilization rates remained constant across all groups despite pharmacist involvement.

Conclusions:

  • Enhanced communication strategies by pharmacy case managers did not reduce the underutilization of key cardiovascular drugs.
  • Hospital pharmacist interventions, as implemented, had no discernible effect on medication use during or after hospitalization.
Abstract

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