Key result
RCT tests if pharmacist-led medication reviews cut 30-day readmissions and mortality in high-risk patients.
Why the study?
Pharmacist-led medication reviews at hospital transitions may reduce medication discrepancies, but their impact on readmissions in pediatric and elderly populations is unclear.
RCT (n=1,400)
Open-label
Computer-generated randomized lists using a permuted block design
Yes
Supports pharmacy-led reviews at transitions to cut readmissions; extends prior data with RCT evidence for integrated care.
BACKGROUND: Early hospital readmission of patients after discharge is a public health problem. One major cause of hospital readmission is dysfunctions in integrated pathways between community and hospital care that can cause adverse drug events. Furthermore, the French ENEIS 2 study showed that 1.3% of hospital stays originated from serious adverse drug events in 2009. Pharmacy-led medication reviews at hospital transitions are an effective means of decreasing medication discrepancies when conducted at admission or discharge. However, it is difficult to assess the true impact of pharmacist-led medication reviews in specific high-risk populations, such as pediatric and geriatric populations. In such a context, it is important to demonstrate the effectiveness of medication reconciliation as part of a standardized medication review process-in pediatric and elderly populations-on all-cause readmissions in a large randomized controlled clinical trial. The aim of this study is to assess the impact of the pharmacist-led medication review on the rate of readmissions and/or death after hospital discharge and patient treatment satisfaction. METHODS/DESIGN: The study is a randomized controlled clinical trial. A total of 1400 hospitalized patients will be randomized in two groups: (1) the experimental group (group receiving a pharmacist-led medication review) and (2) the control group (group receiving usual care). The pharmacist-led medication review process includes medication reconciliation, treatment review and medication liaison service. The primary endpoint will be the rate of readmissions and/or death at 30 days following initial hospitalization discharge. The secondary endpoints will be the rate of hospital readmission, the rate of emergency department visits, the rate of mortality, the number of consultations and patient treatment satisfaction at 30 days following initial hospitalization discharge. DISCUSSION: A randomized controlled trial provides the most extensive evidence on the impact of pharmacist-led medication reviews on early hospital readmission for extreme age populations. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Current Controlled Trials, NCT02734017 . Registered on 4 May 2016.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Renaudin et al. (2017) conducted an RCT in Hospitalized pediatric and elderly patients (n=1,400). Pharmacist-led medication review vs. Usual care was evaluated on Rate of all-cause hospital readmission and/or all-cause death and/or emergency department visits within 30 days after discharge. A pharmacist-led medication review will be evaluated in a randomized controlled trial of 1,400 pediatric and elderly patients to determine its impact on 30-day hospital readmission, emergency department visits, and mortality.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: