Elizabeth G Zdyb1, D Mark Courtney2, Sanjeev Malik2, Michael J Schmidt2, Abbie E Lyden3. 1. Department of Pharmacy, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago, Illinois. 2. Department of Emergency Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois. 3. Department of Pharmacy, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago, Illinois; College of Pharmacy, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, Chicago, Illinois.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Although pharmacists commonly provide patient education and help manage high-risk anticoagulant medications in inpatient and outpatient settings, the evidence for these interventions in the emergency department (ED) is less established, especially in the era of direct-acting oral anticoagulants. In 2013, a formal program was initiated whereby patients discharged with a new prescription for any anticoagulant receive education from an ED pharmacist when on-site. In addition, they received follow-up phone calls from an ED pharmacist within 72 hours of discharge. OBJECTIVE: We sought to identify the impact of pharmacist education, defined as the need for intervention on callback, versus physician and nursing-driven discharge measures on patient understanding and appropriate use of anticoagulant medications. METHODS: A single-center retrospective analysis included patients discharged from the ED between May 2013 and May 2016 with a new anticoagulant prescription. Electronic callback records were reviewed to assess patients' adherence and understanding of discharge instructions as well as for an anticoagulant-related hospital readmission within 90 days. RESULTS: One hundred seventy-four patients were evaluated in a per protocol analysis. Patients who did not receive pharmacist education prior to discharge required an increased need for intervention during callback versus those who did (36.4% vs. 12.9%, p = 0.0005) related to adherence, inappropriate administration, and continued use of interacting medications or supplements, among other concerns. In addition, patients who had not received pharmacist counseling were more likely to be readmitted to a hospital or return to the ED within 90 days after their initial visit for an anticoagulation-related problem versus patients who had (12.12% vs. 1.85%, p = 0.0069). CONCLUSION: Discharge education by ED pharmacists leads to improved patient understanding and appropriate use of anticoagulants.
BACKGROUND: Although pharmacists commonly provide patient education and help manage high-risk anticoagulant medications in inpatient and outpatient settings, the evidence for these interventions in the emergency department (ED) is less established, especially in the era of direct-acting oral anticoagulants. In 2013, a formal program was initiated whereby patients discharged with a new prescription for any anticoagulant receive education from an ED pharmacist when on-site. In addition, they received follow-up phone calls from an ED pharmacist within 72 hours of discharge. OBJECTIVE: We sought to identify the impact of pharmacist education, defined as the need for intervention on callback, versus physician and nursing-driven discharge measures on patient understanding and appropriate use of anticoagulant medications. METHODS: A single-center retrospective analysis included patients discharged from the ED between May 2013 and May 2016 with a new anticoagulant prescription. Electronic callback records were reviewed to assess patients' adherence and understanding of discharge instructions as well as for an anticoagulant-related hospital readmission within 90 days. RESULTS: One hundred seventy-four patients were evaluated in a per protocol analysis. Patients who did not receive pharmacist education prior to discharge required an increased need for intervention during callback versus those who did (36.4% vs. 12.9%, p = 0.0005) related to adherence, inappropriate administration, and continued use of interacting medications or supplements, among other concerns. In addition, patients who had not received pharmacist counseling were more likely to be readmitted to a hospital or return to the ED within 90 days after their initial visit for an anticoagulation-related problem versus patients who had (12.12% vs. 1.85%, p = 0.0069). CONCLUSION: Discharge education by ED pharmacists leads to improved patient understanding and appropriate use of anticoagulants.
Authors: Samuel Kabue; John Greene; Patricia Kipnis; Brian Lawson; Gina Rinetti-Vargas; Vincent Liu; Gabriel Escobar Journal: Med Care Date: 2019-04 Impact factor: 2.983
Authors: Katelyn W Sylvester; Alisia Chen; Andrea Lewin; John Fanikos; Samuel Z Goldhaber; Jean M Connors Journal: Res Pract Thromb Haemost Date: 2022-05-05