John R Tomko1, Nadeem Ahmed2, Koushik Mukherjee3, Rebecca S Roma3, Donna Dilucente4, Karen Orchowski5. 1. Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice and Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Department of Pharmacy, Duquesne University and UPMC Mercy Hospital, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 2. Director of Inpatient Psychiatric Services. 3. Psychiatrist, Mercy Behavioral Health and UPMC Mercy Hospital, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 4. Department of Nursing Services, Utilization, UPMC Mercy Hospital, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 5. Pharmacy Manager, UPMC Mercy Ambulatory Pharmacy, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Nonadherence with medication is a major factor that influences acute psychiatric hospital readmission. Pharmacists can positively influence rapid psychiatric readmission due to nonadherence by counseling patients and providing filled prescriptions on discharge. OBJECTIVE: This study is a retrospective evaluation of a pharmacist-driven discharge medication service for hospitalized psychiatric patients. Measured outcomes include a comparison of rapid readmissions pre and post implementation. Rapid readmissions between the concurrent study group and excluded group were also compared. METHODS: From October 2010 to November 2011, home-destined subjects being discharged from the hospital's behavioral health unit were provided filled psychiatric prescriptions for self-administration upon discharge, coupled with medication counseling. A series of statistical comparisons were made between the 2 prior years' overall rapid readmissions. This was subsequently compared with the overall rapid readmission rate during the study year. The study group's rapid readmissions were then compared to the overall rapid readmission rate of the study year as well as to the concurrent excluded group. RESULTS: Thirty-day hospital readmissions were found to be significantly decreased in studied subjects compared to total rapid readmissions during the previous year (P = .004) and to the excluded group (P = .020). CONCLUSION: Immediate availability of prescriptions upon discharge, coupled with development of therapeutic alliances with patients, removes some of the barriers to patient medication adherence in the discharged, acute psychiatric patient. The program provided positive outcomes with regard to decreased frequent, rapid readmission to the acute care psychiatric unit due to medication nonadherence.
BACKGROUND: Nonadherence with medication is a major factor that influences acute psychiatric hospital readmission. Pharmacists can positively influence rapid psychiatric readmission due to nonadherence by counseling patients and providing filled prescriptions on discharge. OBJECTIVE: This study is a retrospective evaluation of a pharmacist-driven discharge medication service for hospitalized psychiatric patients. Measured outcomes include a comparison of rapid readmissions pre and post implementation. Rapid readmissions between the concurrent study group and excluded group were also compared. METHODS: From October 2010 to November 2011, home-destined subjects being discharged from the hospital's behavioral health unit were provided filled psychiatric prescriptions for self-administration upon discharge, coupled with medication counseling. A series of statistical comparisons were made between the 2 prior years' overall rapid readmissions. This was subsequently compared with the overall rapid readmission rate during the study year. The study group's rapid readmissions were then compared to the overall rapid readmission rate of the study year as well as to the concurrent excluded group. RESULTS: Thirty-day hospital readmissions were found to be significantly decreased in studied subjects compared to total rapid readmissions during the previous year (P = .004) and to the excluded group (P = .020). CONCLUSION: Immediate availability of prescriptions upon discharge, coupled with development of therapeutic alliances with patients, removes some of the barriers to patient medication adherence in the discharged, acute psychiatric patient. The program provided positive outcomes with regard to decreased frequent, rapid readmission to the acute care psychiatric unit due to medication nonadherence.
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