Key result
Pharmacist-led interventions did not reduce unplanned admissions in the general older population (hospital pharmacists RR 0.97, 95% CI 0.88-1.07; community pharmacists RR 1.07, 95% CI 0.96-1.20).
Why the study?
Do pharmacist-led interventions reduce unplanned hospital admissions in older people and older people with heart failure?
Population
Older people (16 trials) and older people with heart failure (4 trials) from 20 randomized controlled trials
Comparison
Pharmacist-led interventions delivered by… vs Usual care
Design
Meta-analysis
Authors
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Does not support routine pharmacist-led interventions to cut admissions in older adults; confirms null effect in general population while leaving HF subgroup open.
Meta-Analysis
Do pharmacist-led interventions reduce unplanned hospital admissions in older people and older people with heart failure?
Relative Risk: 0.97 (95% CI 0.88–1.07)
Pharmacist-led interventions do not reduce unplanned hospital admissions in the general older population, but may be effective in reducing admissions for older patients with heart failure.
Thomas et al. (2013) conducted a meta-analysis in older people. Pharmacist-led interventions vs. usual care was evaluated on unplanned admissions or readmissions (RR 0.97, 95% CI 0.88-1.07). Pharmacist-led interventions did not reduce unplanned admissions in the general older population (hospital pharmacists RR 0.97, 95% CI 0.88-1.07; community pharmacists RR 1.07, 95% CI 0.96-1.20).
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