Engaging hospital patients in the medication reconciliation process using tablet computers.

Area of Science:

• Health Informatics
• Patient Safety
• Medication Management

Background:

• Unintentional medication discrepancies are a significant cause of preventable adverse drug events.
• Current patient engagement in medication safety is often limited to verbal participation during reconciliation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To pilot an electronic home medication review tool to enhance patient engagement in medication safety.
• To determine if patient use of this tool improves medication safety during hospitalization.

Main Methods:

• A randomized pilot study involving patients using an electronic tool before or after hospital admission medication reconciliation.
• Assessment of medication changes made by patients and clinicians, including quantity, potential severity, and harm.
• Clinician surveys to evaluate the tool's perceived usefulness.

Main Results:

• High patient participation (86%) and willingness to modify home medication lists (74%).
• Patients identified numerous discrepancies missed by clinicians, many with significant potential severity and harm.
• Clinicians believed the tool would save time and yield valuable patient information.

Conclusions:

• Patients are willing to actively engage in medication reconciliation using electronic tools.
• Patient-identified discrepancies, often missed by clinicians, highlight the tool's potential to improve medication safety.
• Electronic home medication review tools may enhance patient safety during hospital admissions.