Pilot Study of a Pharmacist-Led Medication Care Program for Adults Discharged from the Emergency Department

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating whether a pharmacist-led transition of care program can be effectively implemented in the emergency department at Al-Wakra Hospital. This pilot randomized controlled trial aims to see if the program, designed to reduce medication errors and complications after discharge, can be delivered successfully and accepted by patients and staff. The findings will guide the planning of a larger study to assess its impact on healthcare use after emergency department discharge. Participants will be randomly assigned to either receive usual care or usual care plus the pharmacist-led transition of care program. The program includes reviewing discharge prescriptions, reconciling medications, providing education, arranging pharmacist-led follow-up clinics, communicating with outpatient pharmacists, and conducting post-discharge follow-ups at 7 and 14 days. Usual care involves standard emergency department management by physicians and nurses, with pharmacists consulted only in selected cases. Throughout the study, researchers will monitor eligibility and recruitment rates, retention at follow-ups, and how well the intervention components are delivered. They will assess medication discrepancies, therapy problems, healthcare utilization, emergency visits, hospital admissions, and patient satisfaction up to 30 days after discharge. This comprehensive evaluation includes documentation in electronic health records and structured counseling, ensuring detailed monitoring of participant outcomes and program feasibility.

Pharmacist-Led Transition of Care Program in the Emergency Department (Pharm TOC-ED): A Pilot Trial