Clinical Pharmacist Intervention to Reduce Drug-related Readmissions Among Older People A Randomized Controlled Trial Involving Clinical Pharmacists in Transitional Care

What this Trial Is About

This research aims to evaluate whether involving clinical pharmacists in the care of patients over 75 years old can reduce drug-related hospital readmissions. The study focuses on the transition period between hospital discharge and primary care, addressing medication management challenges in older adults. It is a randomized controlled trial that compares usual care with an enhanced clinical pharmacist intervention. Participants who qualify and agree to join are randomized based on their cognitive function. Those in the intervention group receive regular medical chart reviews every two weeks and phone interviews by the clinical pharmacist at 7, 30, and 60 days after discharge to review medications. If any drug-related problems arise that cannot be immediately resolved, the pharmacist contacts the patient's physician. Both groups are followed up at 30 and 180 days. Participants provide information via questionnaires about their medication adherence and quality of life at the start, and again at 30 and 180 days. Researchers collect additional data from medical records. The main outcome measured is the time from hospital discharge to the first drug-related readmission within 180 days. This approach helps assess the impact of pharmacist involvement on patient outcomes and medication safety.

Clinical Pharmacist Intervention to Reduce Drug-related Readmissions Among Older People