Multiple studies and systematic reviews support the role of discharge medication history and reconciliation in reducing hospital readmissions, particularly when incorporated into pharmacist-led transition-of-care programs. The greatest benefit appears to occur shortly after discharge, while medication reconciliation also improves the identification and resolution of medication discrepancies. However, the independent impact of medication reconciliation alone remains uncertain because many stud...
A 2016 systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated pharmacist-led medication reconciliation at hospital transitions, including 17 studies involving 21,342 adults. Interventions commonly included obtaining or confirming an accurate medication history, reconciling medications at discharge, providing discharge counseling or documentation, and conducting postdischarge telephone calls or home visits. Most included studies featured multiple transitions. Compared with usual care, these programs reduced all-cause readmissions by 19% (relative risk [RR], 0.81; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.70-0.95) and medication-related adverse drug event hospital revisits by 67% (RR, 0.33; 95% CI, 0.20-0.53). The reduction in readmissions was significant during earlier follow-up, generally within 30 days (RR, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.60-0.98), but not during longer follow-up (RR, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.68-1.06), suggesting that the benefit may be greatest shortly after discharge. However, substantial heterogeneity, in...
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A search of the published medical literature revealed
8 studies investigating the researchable question:
What is the impact of discharge medication history and reconciliation on readmissions?
Level of evidence
C - Multiple studies with limitations or conflicting results
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[1] Mekonnen AB, McLachlan AJ, Brien JA. Effectiveness of pharmacist-led medication reconciliation programmes on clinical outcomes at hospital transitions: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ Open. 2016;6(2):e010003. Published 2016 Feb 23. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2015-010003
[2] Guisado-Gil AB, Mejías-Trueba M, Alfaro-Lara ER, Sánchez-Hidalgo M, Ramírez-Duque N, Santos-Rubio MD. Impact of medication reconciliation on health outcomes: An overview of systematic reviews. Res Social Adm Pharm. 2020;16(8):995-1002. doi:10.1016/j.sapharm.2019.10.011
[3] McNab D, Bowie P, Ross A, MacWalter G, Ryan M, Morrison J. Systematic review and meta-analysis of the effectiveness of pharmacist-led medication reconciliation in the community after hospital discharge. BMJ Qual Saf. 2018;27(4):308-320. doi:10.1136/bmjqs-2017-007087