Objective: To perform a pilot evaluation of a pharmacist-led, multidisciplinary transitional care clinic for heart failure (HF) patients.
Background: Transitions of care in HF should include: medication reconciliation, multidisciplinary care, early post-discharge follow-up, and prompt intervention on HF signs and symptoms. We hypothesized that combining these elements with optimization of medications would impact outcomes.
Methods: In the SERIOUS HF Medication Reconciliation Transitional Care Clinic (HF MRTCC), patients were seen by a clinical pharmacist trained in HF. The pharmacist performed medication reconciliation, a basic physical exam, and a HF symptom history. Medications were adjusted by the clinical pharmacist or medical provider. Data were retrospectively collected for a quality improvement evaluation of this novel clinic on medication discrepancies, medications optimized, and 30-day readmissions. Descriptive statistics and paired t-tests were used for medication doses.
Results: All patients (n=135) had a diagnosis of HF, 59% were recently discharged. The mean time from discharge to the clinic appointment was 10±6days, and the 30day all-cause readmission rate was 9%. Medication discrepancies were detected in 53% of patients. Medications were optimized in 70%, most frequently beta blockers, ace inhibitors, and diuretics. In patients with an ejection fraction ≤40%, significantly higher doses of beta blockers and ace inhibitors were prescribed after the clinic visit.
Conclusion: The HF MRTCC identified and corrected numerous medication discrepancies, up-titrated medications, and was associated with a 30-day readmission rate of 9%. These encouraging pilot results are hypothesis-generating and warrant further controlled trials.
Keywords: Heart failure; Medication reconciliation; Transition.
Published by Elsevier Inc.