An Intervention to Reduce Medication Noncompliance and Hospitalizations

Medication noncompliance is a major healthcare problem contributing to patients being rehospitalized shortly after they are discharged. In addition to financial penalties for certain diagnoses, health systems are penalized on quality measures for all rehospitalizations within 30 days, regardless of diagnosis. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to develop and implement a tool utilizing principles of the Theory of Goal Attainment to assist clinicians and patients in mutual goal setting to improve medication compliance, thus indirectly decreasing hospitalization rates. A tool that addresses mutual goal setting in the home healthcare setting was developed by a consultant and implemented at a midsized home healthcare agency. The tool stresses the patient's role in the process to attain goals and presents the clinician as a support system and educator. Effectiveness was evaluated based on data gathered from Home Health Compare. Improvement was noted in five quality indicators.