Community pharmacy transition of care services and rural hospital readmissions: A case study

To explore community pharmacist involvement in the transition of care (TOC) process for patients discharged with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), heart failure (HF), pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or elective total hip or knee arthroplasty (THA/TKA).

Patients discharged from a 60-bed acute care hospital located in rural Missouri were seen by a community pharmacist in 2 independent community pharmacy locations.

Patients admitted with 1 of the 5 qualifying conditions and identifying the participating pharmacy as their primary pharmacy spoke with a community pharmacist within 72 hours of discharge to complete a comprehensive medication review. A follow-up telephone call occurred 7 days after the encounter to evaluate for drug-related problems, adherence, and key information recalled from the previous visit. A final telephone call occurred on the 30th day after discharge to assess for hospital readmissions and emergency department (ED) visits.

Number of patients readmitted or visiting the ED within 30 days after discharge.

Of the 9 patients completing the study, none were readmitted or visited the ED within 30 days after discharge. All of the participants were satisfied with the care and education provided by pharmacists. The majority of patients recalled points related to specific medication education topics. Based on the adherence tool, 8 of the 9 study participants had at least 1 barrier to medication access or adherence that could lead to post-discharge medication-related problems.

Community pharmacist involvement in the TOC process may help to prevent readmissions for patients with AMI, HF, pneumonia, COPD, and elective THA/TKA. Patients are overall satisfied with community pharmacist involvement as they move from inpatient care to home. In addition, there are multiple barriers affecting access and adherence to medication therapy while at home, providing opportunities for pharmacist intervention and assistance.