Impact of a discharge prescription program on hospital readmissions and patient satisfaction

Medication nonadherence is prevalent and associated with adverse outcomes, including hospital readmissions. Outpatient pharmacies within health systems are well positioned to intervene and enhance the discharge process by ensuring that patients leave the hospital with all discharge medications. The goal of this study was to evaluate whether a simply designed discharge prescription program (DPP) could reduce readmission rates and increase patient satisfaction scores for participants versus patients who did not participate.

We conducted a retrospective cohort study across 15 hospital units in a large health system, evaluating inpatient visits from February 2013 to December 2014. Outcomes included the presence of a 7- or 30-day readmission following discharge date and patient satisfaction survey responses.

Patients who participated in the DPP during a hospitalization were significantly less likely to be readmitted than patients who did not participate (P < 0.05). Participation in the DPP decreased odds of 7-day readmission by 20% and of 30-day readmission by 16%. An increase in positive responses for care management and overall experience satisfaction questions was also seen.

A DPP offers a simple and unique opportunity to reduce readmissions and improve patient satisfaction by dispensing discharge medications before patients leave the hospital.