Impact of discharge medication counseling in the cardiology unit of a tertiary hospital in Brazil: A randomized controlled trial

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2018

Authors

Bonetti, AF (Author) Other; Bagatim, BQ (Author) Other; Mendes, AM (Author) Other; Rotta, I (Author) Other; Reis, RC (Author) Other; Favero, MLD (Author) Other; Fernandez Llimos, F (Author) Other; Pontarolo, R (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Clinics

Vol. 73

Pages: 1-6

ISSN: 1807-5932

Publisher: Universidade de São Paulo

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 24 Citations

Scopus - 26 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00N-Y0X

DOI: 10.6061/clinics/2018/e325

Abstract (EN): OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of pharmacist-provided discharge counseling on mortality rate, hospital readmissions, emergency department visits, and medication adherence at 30 days post discharge. METHODS: This randomized controlled trial was approved by the local ethics committee and included patients aged 18 years or older admitted to the cardiology ward of a Brazilian tertiary hospital. The intervention group received a pharmacist-led medication counseling session at discharge and a telephone follow-up three and 15 days after discharge. The outcomes included the number of deaths, hospital readmissions, emergency department visits, and medication adherence. All outcomes were evaluated during a pharmacist-led ambulatory consultation performed 30 days after discharge. RESULTS: Of 133 patients, 104 were included in the analysis (51 and 53 in the intervention and control groups, respectively). The intervention group had a lower overall readmission rate, number of emergency department visits, and mortality rate, but the differences were not statistically significant (p>0.05). However, the intervention group had a significantly lower readmission rate related to heart disease (0% vs. 11.3%, p=0.027), despite the small sample size. Furthermore, medication counseling contributed significantly to improved medication adherence according to three different tools (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Pharmacist-provided discharge medication counseling resulted in better medication adherence scores and a lower incidence of cardiovascular-associated hospital readmissions, thus representing a useful service for cardiology patients.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 6