Variations in pharmacy-based transition-of-care activities in the United States: A national survey

• Published in: American journal of health-system pharmacy Vol. 71; no. 8; pp. 648 - 656
• Main Authors: KERN, KRISTINE A, KALUS, JAMES S, BUSH, COLLEEN, CHEN, DAVID, SZANDZIK, EDWARD G, HAQUE, NADIA Z
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bethesda, MD Copyright American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. All rights reserved 15.04.2014; American Society of Health Pharmacists; Oxford University Press
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Continuity of Patient Care - organization & administration; Continuity of Patient Care - statistics & numerical data; Health Care Surveys; Health participants; Humans; Medical History Taking - statistics & numerical data; Medical sciences; Medication Adherence; Medication Reconciliation - statistics & numerical data; Methods; Patient Discharge; Pharmaceutical services; Pharmacists; Pharmacists - organization & administration; Pharmacists - statistics & numerical data; Pharmacy Service, Hospital - organization & administration; Pharmacy Service, Hospital - statistics & numerical data; Practice; Professional Role; Public health. Hygiene; Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine; Societies, Pharmaceutical; Surveys; Transitional care; United States; United States; North America; America; Survey; Medication reconciliation; Therapeutic information; Health staff; Chemist; Occupational role; Public health; Care
• ISSN: 1079-2082; 1535-2900
• DOI: 10.2146/ajhp130510

PURPOSEA national survey was conducted to assess pharmacist roles in transition-of-care (TOC) activities in the United States. METHODSAn online survey was sent to 1246 pharmacy directors who were members of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists to assess their involvement in TOC activities including medication reconciliation, admission histories, medication counseling, and postdischarge follow-up; pharmacy student and pharmacy technician involvement in TOC activities; the use of technology to facilitate TOC activities; and barriers to performing such activities. RESULTSA total of 393 respondents completed the survey (31.5% response rate). Twenty-seven percent of respondents indicated that pharmacists complete medication histories on admission, and 5% indicated that pharmacy technicians complete medication histories. Most respondents indicated that pharmacists do not routinely or consistently provide patients with tools to facilitate medication adherence before hospital discharge and that pharmacists do not routinely or consistently follow up with patients after discharge. Fifty-six percent of respondents indicated that pharmacists provide patient education for specific medications or for medications for specific diseases. Few respondents indicated that student pharmacists are involved with TOC activities. Most respondents either agreed or strongly agreed that it is important for pharmacists to be involved in TOC activities for hospitalized patients. CONCLUSIONApproximately one third of survey respondents indicated that pharmacists complete medication histories. Most respondents indicated that pharmacists do not routinely or consistently provide patients with tools to facilitate medication adherence before hospital discharge or follow up with patients after discharge. Lack of pharmacy staff resources and insufficient recognition of the value of pharmacistsʼ provision of TOC by health care executives, medical staff, nursing staff, and other health care professionals were the most frequently cited barriers to pharmacists assuming more significant roles in the TOC at the respondentʼs institution.