1
|
Singh H, Tang T, Steele Gray C, Kokorelias K, Thombs R, Plett D, Heffernan M, Jarach CM, Armas A, Law S, Cunningham HV, Nie JX, Ellen ME, Thavorn K, Nelson MLA. Recommendations for the Design and Delivery of Transitions-Focused Digital Health Interventions: Rapid Review. JMIR Aging 2022; 5:e35929. [PMID: 35587874 PMCID: PMC9164100 DOI: 10.2196/35929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Older adults experience a high risk of adverse events during hospital-to-home transitions. Implementation barriers have prevented widespread clinical uptake of the various digital health technologies that aim to support hospital-to-home transitions. Objective To guide the development of a digital health intervention to support transitions from hospital to home (the Digital Bridge intervention), the specific objectives of this review were to describe the various roles and functions of health care providers supporting hospital-to-home transitions for older adults, allowing future technologies to be more targeted to support their work; describe the types of digital health interventions used to facilitate the transition from hospital to home for older adults and elucidate how these interventions support the roles and functions of providers; describe the lessons learned from the design and implementation of these interventions; and identify opportunities to improve the fit between technology and provider functions within the Digital Bridge intervention and other transition-focused digital health interventions. Methods This 2-phase rapid review involved a selective review of providers’ roles and their functions during hospital-to-home transitions (phase 1) and a structured literature review on digital health interventions used to support older adults’ hospital-to-home transitions (phase 2). During the analysis, the technology functions identified in phase 2 were linked to the provider roles and functions identified in phase 1. Results In phase 1, various provider roles were identified that facilitated hospital-to-home transitions, including navigation-specific roles and the roles of nurses and physicians. The key transition functions performed by providers were related to the 3 categories of continuity of care (ie, informational, management, and relational continuity). Phase 2, included articles (n=142) that reported digital health interventions targeting various medical conditions or groups. Most digital health interventions supported management continuity (eg, follow-up, assessment, and monitoring of patients’ status after hospital discharge), whereas informational and relational continuity were the least supported. The lessons learned from the interventions were categorized into technology- and research-related challenges and opportunities and informed several recommendations to guide the design of transition-focused digital health interventions. Conclusions This review highlights the need for Digital Bridge and other digital health interventions to align the design and delivery of digital health interventions with provider functions, design and test interventions with older adults, and examine multilevel outcomes. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) RR2-10.1136/bmjopen-2020-045596
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hardeep Singh
- Department of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,March of Dimes Canada, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Rehabilitation Sciences Institute, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Terence Tang
- Institute for Better Health, Trillium Health Partners, Mississauga, ON, Canada.,Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Carolyn Steele Gray
- Collaboratory for Research and Innovation, Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Kristina Kokorelias
- St. John's Rehab Research Program, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Rachel Thombs
- Collaboratory for Research and Innovation, Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Donna Plett
- Institute for Better Health, Trillium Health Partners, Mississauga, ON, Canada.,Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Matthew Heffernan
- Rehabilitation Sciences Institute, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Carlotta M Jarach
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Alana Armas
- March of Dimes Canada, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Collaboratory for Research and Innovation, Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Susan Law
- Institute for Better Health, Trillium Health Partners, Mississauga, ON, Canada.,Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | - Jason Xin Nie
- Institute for Better Health, Trillium Health Partners, Mississauga, ON, Canada
| | - Moriah E Ellen
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Health Policy and Management, Guilford Glazer Faculty of Business and Management and Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Kednapa Thavorn
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada.,School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Michelle LA Nelson
- March of Dimes Canada, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Collaboratory for Research and Innovation, Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
de Mooij MJ, Ahayoun I, Leferink J, Kooij MJ, Karapinar-Çarkit F, Van den Berg-Vos RM. Transition of care in stroke patients discharged home: a single-center prospective cohort study. BMC Health Serv Res 2021; 21:1350. [PMID: 34922534 PMCID: PMC8684677 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-021-07347-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Approximately two-thirds of the patients admitted to the hospital with an ischemic stroke are discharged directly home. Discontinuity of care may result in avoidable patient harm, re-admissions and even death. We hypothesized that the transfer of information is most essential in this patient group since any future care for these patients relies solely on the information that is available to the care provider responsible at that time. Aim The objective of this study was to evaluate the continuity of transmural care in ischemic stroke patients by assessing 1) the transfer of clinical information through discharge letters to general practitioners (GPs), 2) subsequent documentation of this information and early follow-up by GPs and 3) the documentation of medication-related information in discharge letters, at GPs and community pharmacies (CPs). Methods This prospective cohort study was conducted from September 2019 through March 2020 in OLVG, Amsterdam, the Netherlands, in patients with a first stroke discharged directly home. Outcome measures were derived from national guidelines and regional agreements. Results were analyzed using descriptive analysis. Results A total of 33 patients were included. Discharge letters (n = 33) and outpatient clinic letters (n = 24) to GPs contained most of the essential items, but 16% (n = 9) of the letters were sent in time. GPs (n = 31) infrequently adhered to guidelines since 10% (n = 3) of the diagnoses were registered using the correct code and 55% (n = 17) of the patients received follow-up shortly after discharge. Medication overviews were inaccurately communicated to GPs since 62% (n = 150) of all prescriptions (n = 243) were correctly noted in the discharge letter. Further loss of information was seen as only 39% (n = 95) of all prescriptions were documented correctly in GP overviews. We found that 59% (n = 144) of the prescriptions were documented correctly in CP overviews. Conclusion In this study, we found that discontinuity of care occurred to a varying extent throughout transmural care in patients with a first stroke who were discharged home.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M J de Mooij
- Department of Neurology, OLVG, Jan Tooropstraat 164, Amsterdam, 1061, the Netherlands
| | - I Ahayoun
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, OLVG, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - J Leferink
- General Practitioner practice Rustenburg, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - M J Kooij
- Community Pharmacy Koning, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | - R M Van den Berg-Vos
- Department of Neurology, OLVG, Jan Tooropstraat 164, Amsterdam, 1061, the Netherlands. .,Department of Neurology, Amsterdam UMC, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Brühwiler LD, Beeler PE, Böni F, Giger R, Wiedemeier PG, Hersberger KE, Lutters M. A RCT evaluating a pragmatic in-hospital service to increase the quality of discharge prescriptions. Int J Qual Health Care 2020; 31:G74-G80. [PMID: 31087065 DOI: 10.1093/intqhc/mzz043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2018] [Revised: 02/04/2019] [Accepted: 04/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To improve discharge prescription quality and information transfer to improve post-hospital care with a pragmatic in-hospital service. DESIGN A single-centre, randomized controlled trial. SETTING Internal medicine wards in a Swiss teaching hospital. PARTICIPANTS Adult patients discharged to their homes, 76 each in the intervention and control group. INTERVENTION Medication reconciliation at discharge by a clinical pharmacist, a prescription check for formal flaws, interactions and missing therapy durations. Important information was annotated on the prescription. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES At the time of medication dispensing, community pharmacy documented their pharmaceutical interventions when filling the prescription. A Poisson regression model was used to compare the number of interventions (primary outcome). The significance of the pharmaceutical interventions was categorized by the study team. Comparative analysis was used for the significance of interventions (secondary outcome). RESULTS The community pharmacy staff performed 183 interventions in the control group, and 169 in the intervention group. The regression model revealed a relative risk for an intervention of 0.78 (95% CI 0.62-0.99, p = 0.04) in the intervention group. The rate of clinically significant interventions was lower in the intervention group than in the control group (72 of 169 (42%) vs. 108 of 183 (59%), p < 0.01), but more economically significant interventions were performed (98, 58% vs. 80, 44%, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS The pragmatic in-hospital service increased the quality of prescriptions. The intervention group had a lower risk for the need for pharmaceutical interventions, and clinically significant interventions were less frequent. Overall, our pragmatic approach showed promising results to optimize post-discharge care.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lea D Brühwiler
- Clinical Pharmacy, Cantonal Hospital of Baden, Switzerland.,Pharmaceutical Care Research Group, University of Basel, Switzerland
| | - Patrick E Beeler
- Department of Internal Medicine & Center of Competence Multimorbidity & University Research Priority Program 'Dynamics of Healthy Aging', University Hospital Zurich & University of Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Fabienne Böni
- Pharmaceutical Care Research Group, University of Basel, Switzerland
| | - Rebekka Giger
- Department of Internal Medicine, Cantonal Hospital of Baden, Switzerland
| | | | - Kurt E Hersberger
- Pharmaceutical Care Research Group, University of Basel, Switzerland
| | - Monika Lutters
- Clinical Pharmacy, Cantonal Hospital of Baden, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Medication Discrepancies in Community Pharmacies in Switzerland: Identification, Classification, and Their Potential Clinical and Economic Impact. PHARMACY 2020; 8:pharmacy8010036. [PMID: 32182863 PMCID: PMC7151719 DOI: 10.3390/pharmacy8010036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2020] [Revised: 02/26/2020] [Accepted: 02/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Transitions of care are high-risk situations for the manifestation of medication discrepancies and, therefore, present threats for potential patient harm. Medication discrepancies can occur at any transition within the healthcare system. Methods: Fifth-year pharmacy students assessed a best possible medication list (BPML) during a medication review (based on medication history and patient interview) in community pharmacies. They documented all discrepancies between the BPML and the latest medication prescription. Discrepancies were classified using the medication discrepancy taxonomy (MedTax) classification system and were assessed for their potential clinical and economic impact. Results: Overall, 116 patients with a mean age and medication prescription of 74 (± 10.3) years and 10.2 (± 4.2), respectively, were analyzed. Of the 317 discrepancies identified, the most frequent type was related to strength and/or frequency and/or number of units of dosage form and/or the total daily dose. Although, the majority of discrepancies were rated as inconsequential (55.2%) on health conditions, the remainder posed a potential moderate (43.2%) or severe impact (1.6%). In 49.5% of the discrepancies, the current patients’ medication cost less than the prescribed. Conclusion: Community pharmacies are at a favorable place to identify discrepancies and to counsel patients. To improve patient care, they should systematically perform medication reconciliation whenever prescriptions are renewed or added.
Collapse
|
5
|
The impact of community pharmacist involvement on transitions of care: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Am Pharm Assoc (2003) 2020; 60:153-162.e5. [DOI: 10.1016/j.japh.2019.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2019] [Revised: 05/13/2019] [Accepted: 07/02/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
|
6
|
The effect of a pharmaceutical transitional care program on rehospitalisations in internal medicine patients: an interrupted-time-series study. BMC Health Serv Res 2019; 19:717. [PMID: 31638992 PMCID: PMC6805673 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-019-4617-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2019] [Accepted: 10/07/2019] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Medication errors at transition of care can adversely affect patient safety. The objective of this study is to determine the effect of a transitional pharmaceutical care program on unplanned rehospitalisations. Methods An interrupted-time-series study was performed, including patients from the Internal Medicine department using at least one prescription drug. The program consisted of medication reconciliation, patient counselling at discharge, and communication to healthcare providers in primary care. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients with an unplanned rehospitalisation within six months post-discharge. Secondary outcomes were drug-related hospital visits, drug-related problems (DRPs), adherence, believes about medication, and patient satisfaction. Interrupted time series analysis was used for the primary outcome and descriptive statistics were performed for the secondary outcomes. Results In total 706 patients were included. At 6 months, the change in trend for unplanned rehospitalisations between usual care and the program group was non-significant (− 0.2, 95% CI -4.9;4.6). There was no significant difference for drug-related visits although visits due to medication reconciliation problems occurred less often (4 usual care versus 1 intervention). Interventions to prevent DRPs were present for all patients in the intervention group (mean: 10 interventions/patient). No effect was seen on adherence and beliefs about medication. Patients were significantly more satisfied with discharge counselling (68.9% usual care vs 87.1% program). Conclusions The transitional pharmaceutical care program showed no effect on unplanned rehospitalisations. This lack of effect is probably because the reason for rehospitalisations are multifactorial while the transitional care program focused on medication. There were less hospital visits due to medication reconciliation problems, but further large scale studies are needed due to the small number of drug-related visits. (Dutch trial register: NTR1519).
Collapse
|
7
|
Daliri S, Hugtenburg JG, ter Riet G, van den Bemt BJF, Buurman BM, Scholte op Reimer WJM, van Buul-Gast MC, Karapinar-Çarkit F. The effect of a pharmacy-led transitional care program on medication-related problems post-discharge: A before-After prospective study. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0213593. [PMID: 30861042 PMCID: PMC6413946 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0213593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2018] [Accepted: 02/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Medication-related problems are common after hospitalization, for example when changes in patients' medication regimens are accompanied by insufficient patient education, poor information transfer between healthcare providers, and inadequate follow-up post-discharge. We investigated the effect of a pharmacy-led transitional care program on the occurrence of medication-related problems four weeks post-discharge. METHODS A prospective multi-center before-after study was conducted in six departments in total of two hospitals and 50 community pharmacies in the Netherlands. We tested a pharmacy-led program incorporating (i) usual care (medication reconciliation at hospital admission and discharge) combined with, (ii) teach-back at hospital discharge, (iii) improved transfer of medication information to primary healthcare providers and (iv) post-discharge home visit by the patient's own community pharmacist, compared with usual care alone. The difference in medication-related problems four weeks post-discharge, measured by means of a validated telephone-interview protocol, was the primary outcome. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used, adjusting for potential confounders after multiple imputation to deal with missing data. RESULTS We included 234 (January-April 2016) and 222 (July-November 2016) patients in the usual care and intervention group, respectively. Complete data on the primary outcome was available for 400 patients. The proportion of patients with any medication-related problem was 65.9% (211/400) in the usual care group compared to 52.4% (189/400) in the intervention group (p = 0.01). After multiple imputation, the proportion of patients with any medication-related problem remained lower in the intervention group (unadjusted odds ratio 0.57; 95% CI 0.38-0.86, adjusted odds ratio 0.50; 95% CI 0.31-0.79). CONCLUSIONS A pharmacy-led transitional care program reduced medication-related problems after discharge. Implementation research is needed to determine how best to embed these interventions in existing processes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sara Daliri
- Faculty of Health, Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, OLVG Hospital, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Internal Medicine, section of Geriatric Medicine, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- * E-mail: (SD); (FKÇ)
| | - Jacqueline G. Hugtenburg
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology & Pharmacy, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Community Pharmacy Westwijk, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Gerben ter Riet
- Department of General Practice, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Bart J. F. van den Bemt
- Department of Pharmacy, Sint Maartenskliniek, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
- Department of Pharmacy, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
- Department of Pharmacy, University Medical Centre Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Bianca M. Buurman
- Faculty of Health, Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Internal Medicine, section of Geriatric Medicine, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Wilma J. M. Scholte op Reimer
- Faculty of Health, Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Cardiology, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | - Fatma Karapinar-Çarkit
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, OLVG Hospital, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- * E-mail: (SD); (FKÇ)
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Uitvlugt EB, Siegert CEH, Janssen MJA, Nijpels G, Karapinar-Çarkit F. Completeness of medication-related information in discharge letters and post-discharge general practitioner overviews. Int J Clin Pharm 2015; 37:1206-12. [PMID: 26337836 DOI: 10.1007/s11096-015-0187-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2015] [Accepted: 08/19/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Communication and documentation of medication-related information are needed to improve continuity of care. OBJECTIVE To assess the completeness of medication-related information in discharge letters and post-discharge general practitioner (GP)-overviews. SETTING A general teaching hospital in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. METHOD An observational study was performed. Patients from several departments were included after medication reconciliation at hospital discharge. In liaison with the resident and patient, a pharmacy team prepared a Transitional Pharmaceutical Care (TPC)-overview of current medications, including changes and allergies. The resident was instructed to download the TPC-overview into the discharge letter instead of typing a self-made medication list. Medication overviews were gathered from the GP 2 weeks after the handover of the discharge letter. The TPC-overview (gold standard) was compared with the information in the discharge letter and post-discharge GP-overviews regarding correct medications and allergies. Descriptive data analysis was used. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE The number and percentage of complete medication-related information in the discharge letter and the GP-overview were compared to the TPC-overview. RESULTS Ninety-nine patients were included. Medication-related information was complete in 62 (63 %) of 99 discharge letters. Sixteen of 99 GP-overviews (16 %) were complete. Communication of medication-related information increased documentation by the GP, but the medication history could still be incomplete, mainly regarding medication changes and allergies. CONCLUSIONS Medication-related information is lost in discharge letters and GP-overviews post-discharge despite in-hospital medication reconciliation. This could result in discontinuity of care.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elien B Uitvlugt
- Department of Hospital Pharmacy, Sint Lucas Andreas Hospital, Jan Tooropstraat 164, 1061 AE, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Carl E H Siegert
- Department of Internal Medicine, Sint Lucas Andreas Hospital, Jan Tooropstraat 164, 1061 AE, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Marjo J A Janssen
- Department of Hospital Pharmacy, Sint Lucas Andreas Hospital, Jan Tooropstraat 164, 1061 AE, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Giel Nijpels
- Department of General Practice, EMGO Institute VU University Medical Center, Van der Boechorststraat 7, 1081 BT, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Fatma Karapinar-Çarkit
- Department of Hospital Pharmacy, Sint Lucas Andreas Hospital, Jan Tooropstraat 164, 1061 AE, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Abdullah-Koolmees H, Gardarsdottir H, Yazir D, Stoker LJ, Vuyk J, Egberts TCG, Heerdink ER. Medication Discontinuation in Patients After Discharge From a Psychiatric Hospital. Ann Pharmacother 2015; 49:1085-95. [PMID: 26160969 DOI: 10.1177/1060028015593763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients discharged from psychiatric hospitals may be at risk for intentional or unintentional discontinuation of their medication. OBJECTIVE To describe and assess the discontinuation of, and changes to, psychiatric and/or somatic medication in patients after discharge from psychiatric hospitals. METHODS A retrospective follow-up study was conducted in patients discharged from 4 psychiatric hospitals in The Netherlands between 2006 and 2009. Patients' medication use during the last 2 days of hospitalization was compared with medication dispensed during the 3 months following discharge. Changes in psychiatric and somatic medication were investigated and defined as medication discontinuation, start, or switch. Patients were classified as continuing users, when there were no changes to the medication after discharge. Relative risks with 95% confidence intervals to measure differences in discontinuation were estimated using Cox regression analysis. RESULTS This study included 1324 patients, 69.8% of whom discontinued medication, and 9.7% switched one or more medications. Nearly half (47.4%) of all patients started a medication other than that dispensed during the last 2 days of hospitalization, and 13.7% of all patients experienced no changes to their medication regimen. Approximately 40% of the patients discontinued one or more medications for chronic conditions. From these, 68% discontinued psychiatric medications and 49.4% discontinued somatic medications. A quarter (25.2%) of the 644 patients discontinued using antipsychotics. More than a quarter (28.4%) of the 292 patients using medications for cardiovascular problems discontinued. Patients using as-needed medication prior to discharge were more likely to discontinue their medication (relative risk = 1.85; 95% confidence interval = 1.55-2.20). CONCLUSIONS Discharge from a psychiatric hospital led to medication discontinuation in approximately 70% of all patients. Approximately 40% of the patients discontinued medications for chronic conditions. Discontinuation of somatic medication was more frequent than discontinuation of psychiatric medication, and risk of discontinuation was lower for patients with depressive and anxiety disorders. Although medication discontinuation can be deliberate it is alarming that a quarter of our patients using antipsychotics and cardiovascular medications discontinued their use, both of which are meant for chronic conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Heshu Abdullah-Koolmees
- Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands Brocacef Ziekenhuisfarmacie, Den Dolder, The Netherlands Diakonessenhuis, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Helga Gardarsdottir
- Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Dilek Yazir
- Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | | | - Judith Vuyk
- Altrecht Institute for Mental Health Care, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Toine C G Egberts
- Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Eibert R Heerdink
- Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands Altrecht Institute for Mental Health Care, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|