Category: Federal Forum Posters
Purpose: Readmission rate within 30 days has been a crucial factor of healthcare cost savings. According to a joint study conducted in 2016 by the Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), readmission rate and mortality rates due to pneumonia were significantly higher in VA hospitals than those of non-VA hospitals. With the increasing number of hospital acquired infections, it has never been more important to optimize outpatient follow-up to prevent unnecessary readmissions. The following pilot project aims to determine whether outbound antimicrobial stewardship provided by pharmacists at VA can reduce the rates of pneumonia readmission.
Methods: Antibiotic data and patient information for patients discharged with a diagnosis of pneumonia will be retrieved from the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS). Two to three days post-discharge, patients will be contacted via phone by a pharmacist or pharmacy intern under supervision of a pharmacist preceptor. Antibiotic appropriateness (based on culture susceptibility) and patient’s response will be assessed. If appropriate, patients will be referred to their primary care provider for additional follow-up. Patients will receive additional medication education during telephone encounter, if needed. Readmission status will be checked at 30 days post discharge via the electronic health record (CPRS). Rate of readmission during the intervention period will be compared to historical data during the same time period of previous year. All data will be collected and maintained confidentially This pilot study will be submitted to Institutional Review Board (IRB) for approval.
Results: Not Applicable
Conclusion: Not Applicable
Jaekyu Lee
– Student, University of Houston College of Pharmacy, Houston, TX101 Views