The practice involves pharmacists systematically assessing readmissions of high-risk patients to determine the reasons for the admission and whether each was potentially preventable and medication related. They applied the practice to 401 readmissions.
Here are three study findings:
1. Of the 401 readmissions, 26 percent were potentially preventable and medication related.
2. The most common categories were:
● Nonadherence due to patient choice: 23.8 percent
● Untreated condition for which medication is indicated: 13.3 percent
● Dose too high: 10.5 percent
● Dose too low: 10.5 percent
3. The percentage of readmissions that were potentially preventable and medication related was significantly higher in more rural areas (30 percent) compared to urban areas (17 percent).
More articles on infection control:
Hawaii mumps outbreak approaches 260 cases
Herd immunity likely keeping Zika numbers low this summer
Disrupting bacteria signals could hold key to circumventing antibiotic resistance
