Improving Medication Adherence Through a Transitional Care Pharmacy Practice Model

Improving Medication Adherence Through a Transitional Care Pharmacy Practice Model

The purpose of this pilot study is to determine if medication adherence is improved by a transitional care pharmacy practice model designed to integrate hospital and community pharmacists in the care and education of patients with heart failure or COPD who are discharged from a community hospital to home. The hospital and community pharmacists will collaborate with each other, the patient, and other practitioners including the primary care physician, nurse, and case manager to prevent and correct medication-related problems and attempt to improve patient outcomes especially during the error-prone transition from hospital to home.

Inclusion Criteria:

• admitted to hospital with a primary or secondary diagnosis of heart failure or COPD
• anticipated eventual discharge to home
• agreeable to participate in monthly counseling sessions (if randomized to intervention group) from a participating community pharmacist

Exclusion Criteria:

• presence of cognitive impairment or dementia that would significantly prevent effective patient education and counseling
• non English-speaking
• anticipated discharge to a long-term care or skilled nursing facility on a permanent basis
• permanent long-term care facility residents
• surgical patients
• hospice patients
• patients who die within 30 days of initial study hospitalization