Evaluating provider acceptance of pharmacist interventions in the Discharge Companion Program and its association with readmission reduction
Document Type
Article
Publication Title
Journal of the American Pharmacists Association
Abstract
Objective: To evaluate provider acceptance of pharmacist interventions within the Discharge Companion Program (DCP) and its association with hospital readmissions. Methods: This retrospective record review included patients referred to the DCP between January and October 2018. DCP pharmacists’ interventions were assessed for provider acceptance on follow-up consultation or readmission. A chi-square test assessed the association between provider acceptance, communication modality, and technology used. A logistic regression model assessed the association between readmission risk and variables of interest. An a priori alpha level of 0.05 was used. Results: Of the 197 patients referred to the DCP, 102 met inclusion criteria. DCP pharmacists made a total of 271 interventions; 185 (68.7%) required provider action. The most common intervention type was medication addition or discontinuation (n = 74, 40%); the communication mode was between DCP nurses and primary care provider offices or skilled nursing facilities (n = 56, 54.9%); and the preferred technology was the telephone (n = 58, 56.9%). Provider acceptance rate was 30.8% (n = 57) of actionable interventions, although it was not significantly associated with 30-day readmission reductions (P = 0.833) and did not differ significantly when interventions were communicated to other health care professionals (P = 0.53). The specific intervention communication mode (i.e., telephone, facsimile, or both) of pharmacist interventions did not significantly affect provider acceptance (P = 0.133). The overall readmission rate was 22.5% (n = 23), and the only significant predictor of 30-day readmission was the number of comorbidities (odds ratio 1.28 [95% CI 1.03–1.58], P = 0.024). Conclusion: Provider acceptance of pharmacists’ interventions did not significantly affect 30-day readmission rates, regardless of communication mode (telephone or facsimile) or technology used. However, the DCP successfully identified numerous medication-related problems. Further study is warranted regarding provider acceptance of pharmacist recommendations on 30-day readmission reduction.
First Page
e47
Last Page
e51
DOI
10.1016/j.japh.2019.12.022
Publication Date
7-1-2020
Recommended Citation
Jamjoom, Omar; Marupuru, Srujitha; Taylor, Ann M.; Warholak, Terri; Scovis, Nicole; and Bingham, Jennifer M., "Evaluating provider acceptance of pharmacist interventions in the Discharge Companion Program and its association with readmission reduction" (2020). Pharmacy Practice Faculty Publications. 388.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.japh.2019.12.022
https://collections.uhsp.edu/pharm-practice_pubs/388