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Alqenae FA, Steinke D, Belither H, Robertson P, Bartlett J, Wilkinson J, Williams SD, Brad L, Jeffries M, Ashcroft DM, Keers RN. A Multi-method Exploratory Evaluation of a Service Designed to Improve Medication Safety for Patients with Monitored Dosage Systems Following Hospital Discharge. Drug Saf 2023; 46:1021-1037. [PMID: 37819463 PMCID: PMC10584716 DOI: 10.1007/s40264-023-01342-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Medication safety problems are common post-hospital discharge, and an important global healthcare improvement target. The Transfers of Care Around Medicines (TCAM) service was launched by a National Health Service Trust in the North-West of England, initially focusing on patients with new or existing Monitored Dosage Systems (MDS). The TCAM service is designed to enable the prompt transfer of medication information, with referrals made by hospitals at discharge to a named community pharmacy. This study aimed to explore the utilisation and impact of the TCAM service on medication safety. METHODS The evaluation included a descriptive analysis of 3033 anonymised patient referrals to 71 community pharmacies over a 1-year period alongside an assessment of the impact of the TCAM service on unintentional medication discrepancies and adverse drug events using a retrospective before-and-after study design. Impact data were collected across 18 general practices by 16 trained clinical pharmacists. RESULTS Most patient referrals (70%, 2126/3033) were marked as 'completed' by community pharmacies, with 15% of completed referrals delayed beyond 30 days. Screening of 411 patient records by clinical pharmacists yielded no statistically significant difference in unintentional medication discrepancies or adverse drug event rates following TCAM implementation using a multivariable regression analysis (unintentional medication discrepancies adjusted odds ratio = 0.79 [95% confidence interval 0.44-1.44, p = 0.46]; and adverse drug events adjusted odds ratio = 1.19 [95% confidence interval 0.57-2.45, p = 0.63]), although there remained considerable uncertainty. CONCLUSIONS The TCAM service facilitated a number of community pharmacy services offered to patients with monitored dosage systems; but the impact of the intervention on unintentional medication discrepancies and adverse drug event rates post-hospital discharge for this patient group was uncertain. The results of this exploratory study can inform the ongoing implementation of the TCAM service at hospital discharge and highlight the need to understand service implementation in different contexts, which may influence its impact on medication safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatema A Alqenae
- Division of Pharmacy and Optometry, School of Health Sciences, Centre for Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK.
| | - Douglas Steinke
- Division of Pharmacy and Optometry, School of Health Sciences, Centre for Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK
| | - Hilary Belither
- Pharmacy Department, Salford Royal Hospital, Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust, Salford, Greater Manchester, UK
| | | | - Jennifer Bartlett
- Pharmacy Department, Salford Royal Hospital, Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust, Salford, Greater Manchester, UK
| | - Jack Wilkinson
- Centre for Biostatistics, Division of Population Health, Health Service Research and Primary Care, School of Health Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Steven D Williams
- Division of Pharmacy and Optometry, School of Health Sciences, Centre for Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK
- Westbourne Medical Centre, Bournemouth, UK
| | | | - Mark Jeffries
- Division of Pharmacy and Optometry, School of Health Sciences, Centre for Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK
- NIHR Greater Manchester Patient Safety Translational Research Centre, Manchester, UK
- Division of Population Health, Health Service Research & Primary Care, School of Health Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Darren M Ashcroft
- Division of Pharmacy and Optometry, School of Health Sciences, Centre for Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK
- NIHR Greater Manchester Patient Safety Translational Research Centre, Manchester, UK
| | - Richard N Keers
- Division of Pharmacy and Optometry, School of Health Sciences, Centre for Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK
- NIHR Greater Manchester Patient Safety Translational Research Centre, Manchester, UK
- Suicide, Risk and Safety Research Unit, Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
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Brady JE, Simon SR, Yeksigian K, Zillich AJ, Moyer J, Linsky AM. Can nonclinicians classify medication discrepancies as accurately as clinical pharmacists? A validation study. Health Sci Rep 2022; 5:e824. [PMID: 36189414 PMCID: PMC9508616 DOI: 10.1002/hsr2.824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Revised: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Julianne E. Brady
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research (CHOIR) VA Boston Healthcare System Boston Massachusetts USA
| | - Steven R. Simon
- Center for the Study of Healthcare Innovation, Implementation and Policy VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System Los Angeles California USA
- Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine University of California Los Angeles Los Angeles California USA
| | - Kate Yeksigian
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research (CHOIR) VA Boston Healthcare System Boston Massachusetts USA
| | - Alan J. Zillich
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy Purdue University West Lafayette Indiana USA
| | - Jonathan Moyer
- Office of Disease Prevention National Institutes of Health Bethesda Maryland USA
| | - Amy M. Linsky
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research (CHOIR) VA Boston Healthcare System Boston Massachusetts USA
- General Internal Medicine VA Boston Healthcare System Boston Massachusetts USA
- General Internal Medicine Boston University School of Medicine Boston Massachusetts USA
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Ozavci G, Bucknall T, Woodward-Kron R, Hughes C, Jorm C, Joseph K, Manias E. A systematic review of older patients' experiences and perceptions of communication about managing medication across transitions of care. Res Social Adm Pharm 2020; 17:273-291. [PMID: 32299684 DOI: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2020.03.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2019] [Revised: 03/26/2020] [Accepted: 03/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Communication about managing medications may be difficult when older people move across transitions of care. Communication breakdowns may result in medication discrepancies or incidents. OBJECTIVE The aim of this systematic review was to explore older patients' experiences and perceptions of communication about managing medications across transitions of care. DESIGN A systematic review. METHODS A comprehensive review was conducted of qualitative, quantitative and mixed method studies using CINAHL Complete, MEDLINE, Embase and PsycINFO, Web of Science, INFORMIT and Scopus. These databases were searched from inception to 14.12.2018. Key article cross-checking and hand searching of reference lists of included papers were also undertaken. INCLUSION CRITERIA studies of the medication management perspectives of people aged 65 or older who transferred between care settings. These settings comprised patients' homes, residential aged care and acute and subacute care. Only English language studies were included. Comments, case reports, systematic reviews, letters, editorials were excluded. Thematic analysis was undertaken by synthesising qualitative data, whereas quantitative data were summarised descriptively. Methodological quality was assessed with the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. RESULTS The final review comprised 33 studies: 12 qualitative, 17 quantitative and 4 mixed methods studies. Twenty studies addressed the link between communication and medication discrepancies; ten studies identified facilitators of self-care through older patient engagement; 18 studies included older patients' experiences with health professionals about their medication regimen; and, 13 studies included strategies for communication about medications with older patients. Poor communication between primary and secondary care settings was reported as a reason for medication discrepancy before discharge. Older patients expected ongoing and tailored communication with providers and timely, accurate and written information about their medications before discharge or available for the post-discharge period. CONCLUSIONS Communication about medications was often found to be ineffective. Most emphasis was placed on older patients' perspectives at discharge and in the post-discharge period. There was little exploration of older patients' views of communication about medication management on admission, during hospitalisation, or transfer between settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guncag Ozavci
- Deakin University, Centre for Quality and Patient Safety Research, School of Nursing and Midwifery, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, Victoria, 3125, Australia.
| | - Tracey Bucknall
- Deakin University, Centre for Quality and Patient Safety Research, School of Nursing and Midwifery, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, Victoria, 3125, Australia; Deakin-Alfred Health Nursing Research Centre, Alfred Health, 55 Commercial Rd, Melbourne, VIC 3004 Australia.
| | - Robyn Woodward-Kron
- Department of Medical Education, Melbourne Medical School, The University of Melbourne, Grattan Street Parkville, 3052, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Carmel Hughes
- Queen's University Belfast, School of Pharmacy, 97 Lisburn Road Belfast BT9 7BL, UK, Northern Ireland, UK.
| | - Christine Jorm
- NSW Regional Health Partners, Wisteria House, James Fletcher Hospital, 72 Watt St, Newcastle, 2300, NSW, Australia.
| | - Kathryn Joseph
- Deakin University, Centre for Quality and Patient Safety Research, School of Nursing and Midwifery, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, Victoria, 3125, Australia.
| | - Elizabeth Manias
- Deakin University, Centre for Quality and Patient Safety Research, School of Nursing and Midwifery, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, Victoria, 3125, Australia.
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Almanasreh E, Moles R, Chen TF. The medication discrepancy taxonomy (MedTax): The development and validation of a classification system for medication discrepancies identified through medication reconciliation. Res Social Adm Pharm 2020; 16:142-148. [DOI: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2019.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2019] [Revised: 04/04/2019] [Accepted: 04/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Marien S, Legrand D, Ramdoyal R, Nsenga J, Ospina G, Ramon V, Boland B, Spinewine A. A web application to involve patients in the medication reconciliation process: a user-centered usability and usefulness study. J Am Med Inform Assoc 2019; 25:1488-1500. [PMID: 30137331 DOI: 10.1093/jamia/ocy107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2017] [Accepted: 07/27/2018] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Medication reconciliation (MedRec) can improve patient safety by resolving medication discrepancies. Because information technology (IT) and patient engagement are promising approaches to optimizing MedRec, the SEAMPAT project aims to develop a MedRec IT platform based on two applications: the "patient app" and the "MedRec app." This study evaluates three dimensions of the usability (efficiency, satisfaction, and effectiveness) and usefulness of the patient app. Methods We performed a four-month user-centered observational study. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected. Participants completed the system usability scale (SUS) questionnaire and a second questionnaire on usefulness. Effectiveness was assessed by measuring the completeness of the medication list generated by the patient application and its correctness (ie medication discrepancies between the patient list and the best possible medication history). Qualitative data were collected from semi-structured interviews, observations and comments, and questions raised by patients. Results Forty-two patients completed the study. Sixty-nine percent of patients considered the patient app to be acceptable (SUS Score ≥ 70) and usefulness was high. The medication list was complete for a quarter of the patients (7/28) and there was a discrepancy for 21.7% of medications (21/97). The qualitative data enabled the identification of several barriers (related to functional and non-functional aspects) to the optimization of usability and usefulness. Conclusions Our findings highlight the importance and value of user-centered usability testing of a patient application implemented in "real-world" conditions. To achieve adoption and sustained use by patients, the app should meet patients' needs while also efficiently improving the quality of MedRec.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Marien
- Louvain Drug Research Institute, Clinical Pharmacy Research Group, Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium.,Geriatric Medicine, Cliniques universitaires Saint-Luc, Brussels, Belgium.,Institute of Health and Society, Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Delphine Legrand
- Louvain Drug Research Institute, Clinical Pharmacy Research Group, Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Ravi Ramdoyal
- Centre d'Excellence en Technologies de l'Information et de la Communication (CETIC), Charleroi, Belgium
| | - Jimmy Nsenga
- Centre d'Excellence en Technologies de l'Information et de la Communication (CETIC), Charleroi, Belgium
| | - Gustavo Ospina
- Centre d'Excellence en Technologies de l'Information et de la Communication (CETIC), Charleroi, Belgium
| | - Valéry Ramon
- Centre d'Excellence en Technologies de l'Information et de la Communication (CETIC), Charleroi, Belgium
| | - Benoit Boland
- Geriatric Medicine, Cliniques universitaires Saint-Luc, Brussels, Belgium.,Institute of Health and Society, Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Anne Spinewine
- Louvain Drug Research Institute, Clinical Pharmacy Research Group, Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium.,Pharmacy Department, Université catholique de Louvain, CHU UCL Namur, Yvoir, Belgium
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A User-Centered design and usability testing of a web-based medication reconciliation application integrated in an eHealth network. Int J Med Inform 2019; 126:138-146. [PMID: 31029255 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmedinf.2019.03.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2018] [Revised: 11/09/2018] [Accepted: 03/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Medication discrepancies, which are a threat to patient safety, can be reduced by medication reconciliation (MedRec). MedRec is a complex process that can be supported by the use of information technology and patient engagement. Therefore, the SEAMPAT project aims to develop a MedRec IT platform based on two applications. The application for the professionals is called: the "MedRec app". OBJECTIVE In the present study, we aimed to describe the development and usability testing of the MedRec app, reporting results of a three iterations user-centered usability evaluation. METHODS We used a three phase iterative user-centered study spread over 16 months. At each phase, the usability evaluation included several methods (observations, questionnaires, and follow-up discussions with participants) to collect quantitative and qualitative data in order to improve the current prototype and evolve to the next prototype. RESULTS In total, 48 healthcare professionals (25 general practitioners and 23 hospital clinicians) participated to the MedRec app evaluation. There were 14, 32 and 5 participants for phases 1, 2 and 3 respectively. At each phase, many design modifications were done to strengthen usability. Concerning usability, participants considered the prototypes as an acceptable interface with a median System Usability Score of 73 at phase 2 and 75 at phase 3. Participants emphasized the need for improvements concerning workflow integration, usefulness and interoperability. CONCLUSION The MedRec app was perceived as being useful, usable and satisfying. However, further improvements are required in several usability aspects. Our study demonstrates the importance of conducting usability assessments before investing time and resources in a large study evaluating the effect of an eMedRec approach on clinical outcomes. Our findings may also increase the chances of acceptability and sustained use over time by clinicians.
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Cheema E, Alhomoud FK, Kinsara ASALD, Alsiddik J, Barnawi MH, Al-Muwallad MA, Abed SA, Elrggal ME, Mohamed MMA. The impact of pharmacists-led medicines reconciliation on healthcare outcomes in secondary care: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0193510. [PMID: 29590146 PMCID: PMC5873985 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0193510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2017] [Accepted: 02/13/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Adverse drug events (ADEs) impose a major clinical and cost burden on acute hospital services. It has been reported that medicines reconciliation provided by pharmacists is effective in minimizing the chances of hospital admissions related to adverse drug events. Objective To update the previous assessment of pharmacist-led medication reconciliation by restricting the review to randomized controlled trials (RCTs) only. Methods Six major online databases were sifted up to 30 December 2016, without inception date (Embase, Medline Ovid, PubMed, BioMed Central, Web of Science and Scopus) to assess the effect of pharmacist-led interventions on medication discrepancies, preventable adverse drug events, potential adverse drug events and healthcare utilization. The Cochrane tool was applied to evaluate the chances of bias. Meta-analysis was carried out using a random effects model. Results From 720 articles identified on initial searching, 18 RCTs (6,038 patients) were included. The quality of the included studies was variable. Pharmacists-led interventions led to an important decrease in favour of the intervention group, with a pooled risk ratio of 42% RR 0.58 (95% CI 0.49 to 0.67) P<0.00001 in medication discrepancy. Reductions in healthcare utilization by 22% RR 0.78 (95% CI 0.61 to 1.00) P = 0.05, potential ADEs by10% RR 0.90 (95% CI 0.78 to 1.03) P = 0.65 and preventable ADEs by 27% RR 0.73 (0.22 to 2.40) P = 0.60 were not considerable. Conclusion Pharmacists-led interventions were effective in reducing medication discrepancies. However, these interventions did not lead to a significant reduction in potential and preventable ADEs and healthcare utilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ejaz Cheema
- Department of Clinical and Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, Umm-Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
- Warwick Medical School, Gibbet Hill Campus, University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | - Farah Kais Alhomoud
- Department of Clinical and Pharmacy Practice, School of Clinical Pharmacy, University of Dammam, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
| | - Amnah Shams AL-Deen Kinsara
- Department of Clinical and Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, Umm-Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Jomanah Alsiddik
- Department of Clinical and Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, Umm-Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Marwah Hassan Barnawi
- Department of Clinical and Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, Umm-Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Morooj Abdullah Al-Muwallad
- Department of Clinical and Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, Umm-Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Shatha Abdulbaset Abed
- Department of Clinical and Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, Umm-Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mahmoud E. Elrggal
- Department of Clinical and Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, Umm-Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mahmoud M. A. Mohamed
- Department of Clinical and Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, Umm-Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
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Almanasreh E, Moles R, Chen TF. The medication reconciliation process and classification of discrepancies: a systematic review. Br J Clin Pharmacol 2016; 82:645-58. [PMID: 27198753 PMCID: PMC5338112 DOI: 10.1111/bcp.13017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2016] [Revised: 05/17/2016] [Accepted: 05/17/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS Medication reconciliation is a part of the medication management process and facilitates improved patient safety during care transitions. The aims of the study were to evaluate how medication reconciliation has been conducted and how medication discrepancies have been classified. METHODS We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PubMed, International Pharmaceutical Abstracts (IPA), and Web of Science (WOS), in accordance with the PRISMA statement up to April 2016. Studies were eligible for inclusion if they evaluated the types of medication discrepancy found through the medication reconciliation process and contained a classification system for discrepancies. Data were extracted by one author based on a predefined table, and 10% of included studies were verified by two authors. RESULTS Ninety-five studies met the inclusion criteria. Approximately one-third of included studies (n = 35, 36.8%) utilized a 'gold' standard medication list. The majority of studies (n = 57, 60%) used an empirical classification system and the number of classification terms ranged from 2 to 50 terms. Whilst we identified three taxonomies, only eight studies utilized these tools to categorize discrepancies, and 11.6% of included studies used different patient safety related terms rather than discrepancy to describe the disagreement between the medication lists. CONCLUSIONS We suggest that clear and consistent information on prevalence, types, causes and contributory factors of medication discrepancy are required to develop suitable strategies to reduce the risk of adverse consequences on patient safety. Therefore, to obtain that information, we need a well-designed taxonomy to be able to accurately measure, report and classify medication discrepancies in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enas Almanasreh
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Pharmacy and Bank Building A15, The University of Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Rebekah Moles
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Pharmacy and Bank Building A15, The University of Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Timothy F Chen
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Pharmacy and Bank Building A15, The University of Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
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Mekonnen AB, McLachlan AJ, Brien JAE. Pharmacy-led medication reconciliation programmes at hospital transitions: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Clin Pharm Ther 2016; 41:128-44. [DOI: 10.1111/jcpt.12364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 174] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2015] [Accepted: 01/21/2016] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alemayehu B. Mekonnen
- Faculty of Pharmacy; University of Sydney; Sydney NSW Australia
- School of Pharmacy; University of Gondar; Gondar Ethiopia
| | - Andrew J. McLachlan
- Faculty of Pharmacy; University of Sydney; Sydney NSW Australia
- Centre for Education and Research on Ageing; Concord Hospital; Sydney NSW Australia
| | - Jo-anne E. Brien
- Faculty of Pharmacy; University of Sydney; Sydney NSW Australia
- Faculty of Medicine; St Vincent's Hospital Clinical School; University of New South Wales; Sydney NSW Australia
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A four-phase approach for systematically collecting data and measuring medication discrepancies when patients transition between health care settings. Res Social Adm Pharm 2015; 12:548-58. [PMID: 26781670 DOI: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2015.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2015] [Accepted: 09/01/2015] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND No methodological standards are available for researchers and clinicians to examine medication discrepancies between health care settings. Systematic methods of examining medication discrepancies will allow researchers and clinicians to better understand factors driving medication discrepancies, to better measure effects of medication reconciliation interventions, and to compare findings across studies. OBJECTIVE This article proposes a four-phase approach for systematically collecting medication data and measuring medication discrepancies between a hospital and community pharmacies. Methodologic considerations related to studying medication discrepancies in health services research are also discussed. METHODS A multi-disciplinary study team developed a four-phase systematic approach to improve quality of data and study rigor: 1) operationalization of a medication discrepancy, 2) acquiring medication data, 3) abstraction of medication data and creation of dataset, and 4) measuring and reporting medication discrepancies. RESULTS Using this phase-based approach, the study team successfully identified and reported medication discrepancies between a hospital and community pharmacies at the patient, medication, and community pharmacy units of analyses. CONCLUSIONS Systematically measuring medication discrepancies that occur in the care transitions process is a critical step as researchers, clinicians, and other stakeholders work to improve health care quality and patient outcomes. This article detailed how a phase-based approach can be used in research to examine medication discrepancies as well as address the complexity of collecting medication data and analyzing medication discrepancies. Such methods should be considered when developing, conducting, and reporting research on medication discrepancies.
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Paquin AM, Salow M, Rudolph JL. Pharmacist Calls to Older Adults with Cognitive Difficulties After Discharge in a Tertiary Veterans Administration Medical Center: A Quality Improvement Program. J Am Geriatr Soc 2015; 63:571-7. [DOI: 10.1111/jgs.13315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Allison M. Paquin
- Department of Pharmacy; VA Boston Healthcare System; Boston Massachusetts
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy Practice; Northeastern University; Boston Massachusetts
| | - Marci Salow
- Department of Pharmacy; VA Boston Healthcare System; Boston Massachusetts
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy Practice; Northeastern University; Boston Massachusetts
| | - James L. Rudolph
- Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center; VA Boston Healthcare System; Boston Massachusetts
- Division of Aging; Brigham and Women's Hospital; Boston Massachusetts
- Harvard Medical School; Boston Massachusetts
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