The Iowa Continuity of Care study: Background and methods

Barry L Carter; Karen B Farris; Paul W Abramowitz; David B Weetman; Peter J Kaboli; Jeffrey D Dawson; Paul A James; Alan J Christensen; John M Brooks

doi:10.2146/ajhp070600

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The Iowa Continuity of Care study: Background and methods

Barry L Carter, Karen B Farris, Paul W Abramowitz, David B Weetman, Peter J Kaboli, Jeffrey D Dawson, Paul A James, Alan J Christensen and John M Brooks

American journal of health-system pharmacy, Vol.65(17), pp.1631-1642

09/01/2008

DOI: 10.2146/ajhp070600

PMCID: PMC2859676

PMID: 18714110

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Abstract

The background and methods of an ongoing study to determine the effects of hospital pharmacists' enhanced communication with patients and their community providers are described. The Iowa Continuity of Care study is a randomized, prospective trial enrolling 1000 patients with selected medical conditions admitted to one large Midwest hospital. Patients will be randomized to a control group (usual care), minimal intervention, or enhanced intervention. For the intervention groups, a pharmacist case manager (PCM) will provide admission medication verification with the patients' community pharmacists, medication teaching, and discharge counseling. Patients in the enhanced intervention group will have a discharge care plan faxed to their outpatient physician and community pharmacist and will receive a follow-up phone call from the PCM three to five days after discharge; the PCM will continue to facilitate communication between the patient and community providers until all medication problems are resolved. A blinded research nurse will collect data, including adverse drug event (ADE) data, at admission and 30 and 90 days after discharge. The primary outcome measures include medication appropriateness, ADEs, emergency department visits, unscheduled office visits, and rehospitalizations. Data will be collected from the inpatient electronic medical record, outpatient physician medical records, and community pharmacist records and directly from patients. A cost-effectiveness analysis will be performed. This study will address the value of a PCM in improving communication of care plans between the inpatient and community settings and thereby optimizing medication use.

Prospective Studies

Professional-Patient Relations

Humans

Continuity of Patient Care

Medication Errors - prevention & control

Medication Therapy Management

Patient Compliance

Pharmacy Service, Hospital - methods

Drug Utilization Review

Medication Systems, Hospital

Details

Title: Subtitle: The Iowa Continuity of Care study: Background and methods
Creators: Barry L Carter - Division of Clinical and Administrative Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, University of Iowa (UI), Iowa City, IA 52242, USA. barry.carter@uiowa.edu
Karen B Farris
Paul W Abramowitz
David B Weetman
Peter J Kaboli
Jeffrey D Dawson
Paul A James
Alan J Christensen
John M Brooks
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: American journal of health-system pharmacy, Vol.65(17), pp.1631-1642
DOI: 10.2146/ajhp070600
PMID: 18714110
PMCID: PMC2859676
NLM abbreviation: Am J Health Syst Pharm
ISSN: 1535-2900
eISSN: 1535-2900
Publisher: England
Grant note: 1R01 HL082711 / NHLBI NIH HHS R01 HL082711 / NHLBI NIH HHS R01 HL082711-01A2 / NHLBI NIH HHS
Language: English
Date published: 09/01/2008
Academic Unit: Pharmacy; Public Health Administration; Epidemiology; Psychological and Brain Sciences; Biostatistics; Family and Community Medicine; Pharmacy Practice and Science; Internal Medicine
Record Identifier: 9983997448002771

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