A blueprint for success: Using an implementation framework to create a medication history technician pilot program.

Area of Science:

• Implementation science
• Health services research
• Patient safety

Background:

• Medication discrepancies during care transitions pose risks to patient safety.
• Pharmacy technicians can be trained to collect medication histories, mitigating these risks.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the creation of a program integrating medication history technicians (MHTs) into the hospital discharge process.
• To utilize implementation science principles for program development and tailoring to local needs.

Main Methods:

• Literature review and analysis of current discharge practices.
• Workflow pilot, needs assessment, and semistructured interviews with pharmacy staff.
• Mapping identified barriers to implementation strategies to create an MHT program blueprint.

Main Results:

• A proof-of-concept workflow pilot demonstrated reduced medication discrepancy rates.
• Needs assessment revealed a demand for additional training among pharmacy technicians for the MHT role.
• Identified key themes including training needs, implementation challenges, workflow logistics, and technician self-efficacy.

Conclusions:

• Implementation science was effectively used to develop a tailored MHT program.
• The developed implementation blueprint can be adapted by other institutions to improve medication safety during transitions of care.