The Cost Associated with Hospital Readmissions
Common chronic disease states such as heart failure, diabetes, and asthma often lead to hospitalizations and re-admissions. The Institute of Medicine estimates Medicare spends over $15 billion annually on readmissions, with approximately 16% of Wisconsin patients being readmitted in this population set (18.6% nationally).5,6
The WPQC model can help prevent some of the most common barriers to successful patient care transitions post-hospitalization such as: lack of standardization and time, patient confusion about current medications, missing information, and primary care providers unaware of hospitalizations or medication changes. A 2003 study found that post-discharge medication assessment decreased readmission rates in a group of 494 patients, saving the health plan $35,000 per 100 patients annually.7
The WPQC program allows pharmacists to perform a comprehensive medication review on high risk patients such as those that have been discharged from the hospital or LTC setting within the last 14 days. These CMR/As will lead to:
- Optimization of patients’ medication regimens
- Better patient understanding of their medications and the importance of each
- Improved medication adherence
- Fewer adverse drug reactions
- Improved attainment of clinical goals / outcomes
- Decreased utilization of unnecessary health care resources
Joining WPQC is easy!
Simply email Kari Trapskin expressing your interest in participation. She will guide you through the rest of the details.
References:
1. Network for Excellence in Health Innovation. Thinking outside the pillbox: A system-wide approach to improving patient medication adherence for chronic disease. 2009. Available at http://www.nehi.net/publications/17-thinking-outside-the-pillbox-a-system-wide-approach-to-improving-patient-medication-adherence-for-chronic-disease/view. Accessed March 25, 2014.
2. DiMatteo MR. Variations in patients' adherence to medical recommendations: a quantitative review of 50 years of research. Med Care 2004;42(3):200-209.
3. IMS Institute for Healthcare Informatics. Avoidable costs in US health care. 2013. Available at http://www.imshealth.com/deployedfiles/imshealth/Global/Content/Corporate/IMS%20Institute/RUOM-2013/IHII_Responsible_Use_Medicines_2013.pdf. Accessed March 25, 2014.
4. Evans M, Mott D, Cory P, et al. Return on investment evaluation of cost-effectiveness interventions within a quality-based medication therapy management pilot program. Available at http://www.www.pswi.org/associations/13015/files/WPQC%Pilot%20ROIPoster.pdf. Accessed March 25, 2014.
5. Institute of Medicine. New data on geographic variation. Available at http://iom.edu/Activites/HealthServices/GeographicVariation/Data-Resources.aspx. Accessed April 16, 2014.
6. Baier RR, Gardner RL, Coleman EA, et al. Shifting the dialogue from hospital readmissions to unplanned care. Am J Manag Care. 2013;19(6):450-453.
7. Kilcup M, Schultz D, Carlson J, Wilson B. Postdischarge pharmacist medication reconciliation: impact on readmission rates and financial savings. J Am Pharm Assoc. 2013;53:78-84.