Optimizing the Use of Discharge Medication Lists in Nursing Facilities

To highlight the need to optimize the use of discharge medication lists in nursing facilities.

In January 2014, the care transitions (CT) pharmacists at Frederick Memorial Hospital, Frederick, Maryland, began a pilot project in which they identified and followed high-risk patients transitioning from hospital to nursing facility and from nursing facility to home.

This pilot project served as a needs assessment to identify opportunities to improve patients' transition from nursing facility to home with the goal of reducing hospital readmissions.

One of the enormous opportunities that were immediately recognized was the nursing facility discharge medication list.

The CT pharmacists found that patients had difficulty deciphering and understanding the medication lists.

By reviewing the elements of existing medication lists, the CT pharmacists identified 11 components of a nursing facility discharge medication list that would increase patient safety and potentially reduce medication-related hospital readmissions. These elements include the capability of electronically generating a medication list that includes both brand and generic medication names with accurate indications in layperson terms. The ideal discharge medication list would also be patient-specific and remove irrelevant information and take into consideration patients' age, vision, and health literacy.

With the upcoming implementation of the nursing facility value-based purchasing program, nursing facilities may soon receive incentives to improve their medication management systems at discharge.