Descriptive Analysis of Patient Readmissions Within 60 Days Due to Medication-Related Events

Hospital readmissions have become a marker for quality health care. Readmissions secondary to failures of the medication use process are poorly documented and underrecognized.

To identify the incidence of readmissions related to the medication use process and identify associated patient- and therapy-related risk factors.

A prospective observational cohort study including patients discharged from an acute care medicine unit and readmitted within 60 days. The primary outcome was percentage of readmissions related to drug-related problems (DRPs) as defined by Pharmaceutical Care Network Europe (PCNE). Secondary outcomes included classification of problems using PCNE criteria, type and extent of pharmacist involvement in patient care, and identification of variables associated with a readmission related to a DRP.

One hundred patients provided informed consent and were included for analysis. A DRP associated with readmission was identified in 64 patients. Sixty-one percent were classified as a potential problem with effect or lack of effect of pharmacotherapy. Patients who had a pharmacy consult were less likely to have a DRP (27% vs 47%; P = .04), and patients who missed follow-up appointments were more than 3 times as likely to have a DRP (20% vs 4%; P = .03). Presence of a pharmacy consult (odds ratio [OR], 0.38; 95% CI, 0.15-0.99; P = .05) and missed follow-up appointments (OR, 5.63; 95% CI, 1.52-20.86; P = .01) remained significant in a multivariate regression model.

DRPs were frequent in patients who were readmitted within 60 days. Clinical pharmacist involvement in care and support for appropriate patient follow-up may reduce unnecessary admissions.