Telephone-based medicine reconciliation

Safe Medication Management Programme > Resources > MedRec News Flash

Pharmacist Provides Telephone-Based Medication Reconciliation and Education to Recently Discharged Patients, Leading to Fewer Readmissions

http://www.innovations.ahrq.gov/content.aspx?id=2959

Novant Health's Safe Med Program uses pharmacists to telephone recently discharged patients to educate them about their medications and reconcile their medication list, with the goal of preventing readmissions related to adverse drug events. During the call, the pharmacist asks the patient to review all prescription and over-the-counter medications currently being taken and provides educational information about each. The pharmacist reconciles the patient-reported list with the list documented at discharge, addressing any discrepancies. The patient's physician and the patient receive a copy of the reconciled list, along with additional relevant information. As necessary, the pharmacist also arranges for prompt followup on any medical or disease management needs identified during the call. The program has significantly reduced overall readmissions and those related to adverse drug events, and has generated high levels of patient satisfaction

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