Pharmacist-Led Medication Reconciliation Reduces Hospital Readmissions From SNFs

Researchers determined a reduction of hospital readmissions from skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) can be linked to pharmacist-led medication reconciliation, which also acts as a vital part of the SNF transition process.  

Increased readmissions and poor outcomes can be correlated to difficult-to-manage transitions of care that are not performed properly, and study authors reported when patients are discharged to SNFs, transitions become more complex.

The impact of pharmacist-led initiatives, including medication reconciliation on readmission rates between and academic medical center and a SNF was assessed by researchers in a two-phase quality improvement project.

Examining various points in the transition process, researchers focused on medication reconciliation completion rates and all-cause 30-day readmission rates while comparing total pharmacist interventions among the 2 groups.

A 29.8% relative reduction (14.5% vs 20.6%) in readmission rates was a result of the combined intervention and baseline cohorts.

In the first phase, medication reconciliation was completed on 93.8% of SNF admitted patients and on 97.7% in the second phase.

The first phase resulted in 2.39 pharmacist interventions per reconciliation and the second phase resulted in 1.82.

Based on these outcomes, researchers concluded pharmacist-led medication reconciliation is an essential part of an SNF transition process.

Reference:
Phillips M, Dillaman M, Matuga R, et al. 30-Day readmission reduction in a skilled nursing facility population through pharmacist-driven medication reconciliation. J Healthc Qual. 2022;44(3):152-160. doi:10.1097/JHQ.0000000000000313