Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Pharmacist-Led Transitions of Care Services on the 30-Day All-Cause Readmission Rate of Patients with Congestive Heart Failure

  • Systematic Review
  • Published:
Clinical Drug Investigation Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background and Objective

A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed to determine the cumulative effect of pharmacist-led transitions of care on the 30-day all-cause readmission rates of patients with congestive heart failure with the objective to isolate and assess the effect of pharmacy intervention to a condition-specific service. Previous studies that review pharmacist-led transitional care services involve multiple condition-specific services or a pharmacy service integrated into the healthcare team that presents complications in interpreting the independent effectiveness of component services by pharmacy professionals.

Methods

A systematic review was conducted using articles identified from MEDLINE, CINAHL, Web of Science, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and clinicaltrials.gov databases for studies on congestive heart failure readmission rates based on transitions of care pharmacist services using detailed inclusion and exclusion criteria. Abstracts were screened for outcome of interest and appropriate transitions of care program structure. Practice and patient characteristics were described and compared to identify current practice trends. A meta-analysis was then performed utilizing previously identified studies from systematic analysis that reported the required data to calculate the effect size. Evidence was reviewed and appraised according to the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale for cohort studies.

Results

The database search produced 443 potential articles for inclusion. Six articles were identified for inclusion in the systematic review based on abstract screening. Of the six articles included in the systematic review, three studies met inclusion criteria for a meta-analysis. Two studies in the meta-analysis stated a significant reduction in the 30-day all-cause readmission rate for patients with congestive heart failure, while the third depicted a reduction in readmission that was found to be non-significant. The pooled effect of the included articles found that pharmacist-led transitions of care services for patients with congestive heart failure had an increased odds to have lower all-cause readmission rates of patients with congestive heart failure (odds ratio = 2.19, 95% confidence interval 1.50–3.20). Based on the meta-analysis of three studies, pharmacist-led transitions of care services significantly reduced the odds of 30-day all-cause readmission rates in patients with congestive heart failure compared with standard-of-care discharge protocols.

Conclusion

Results of the meta-analysis demonstrate the capacity for pharmacist-led transitions of care programs to reduce 30-day all-cause readmission rates in patients with congestive heart failure compared with non-pharmacist discharge care. The financial implications of transitions of care pharmacist involvement have yet to be validated. In general, existing database search results highlight the lack of evidence detailing specific clinical outcomes of pharmacist-led transitions of care services in distinct chronic conditions. Future studies may serve to compare patient-centered outcomes between condition-specific services or across disciplines to provide the most cost-effective delivery of care.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Mozzafarian D, Benjamin EJ, Go AS, et al. On behalf of the American Heart Association Statistics Committee and Stroke Statistics Subcommittee. Heart disease and stroke statistics—2016 update: a report from the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2016;133:e38–60.

    Google Scholar 

  2. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Hospital readmissions reduction program. In: Hospital Compare. Date modified: 30 June 2017. https://data.medicare.gov/Hospital-Compare/Hospital-Readmissions-Reduction-Program/9n3s-kdb3/data. Accessed 15 Apr 2019.

  3. Raghupathi W, Raghupathi V. An empirical study of chronic diseases in the United States: a visual analytics approach to public health. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2018;15(3):431. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph15030431.

    Article  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  4. Fingar KR, Barrett ML, Jiang HJ. A comparison of all-cause 7-day and 30-day readmissions, 2014. HCUP statistical brief #230. Rockville: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality; 2017.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Boccutti C, Casillas G. Aiming for fewer hospital U-turns: the Medicare Hospital Readmission Reduction Program. San Francisco: Kaiser Family Foundation; 2017.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Joint Commission Center for Transforming Healthcare. Transitions of care: the need for a more effective approach to continuing patient care. Oakbrook Terrace: The Joint Commission; 2012.

    Google Scholar 

  7. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Transition of care summary. Eligible Professional Meaningful Use Menu Set Measures Measure 7 of 9. Woodlawn: The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services; 2014.

    Google Scholar 

  8. American Academy of Family Physicians, American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Physicians, and American Osteopathic Academy. Joint principles of the patient-centered medical home; 2007. https://www.aafp.org/dam/AAFP/documents/practice_management/pcmh/initiatives/PCMHJoint.pdf. Accessed 31 Jan 2018.

  9. Rice YB, Barnes CA, Rastogi R, Hillstrom TJ, Steinkeler CN. Tackling 30-day, all-cause readmissions with a patient-centered transitional care bundle. Popul Health Manag. 2016;19(1):56–62.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Fanizza FA, Ruisinger JF, Prohaska ES, et al. Integrating a health information exchange into a community pharmacy transitions of care service. J Am Pharm Assoc. 2018;58(4):442–9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.japh.2018.02.012(Epub 2018 Apr 4).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Spiegel B, Shane R, Palmer K, et al. Cost-effectiveness of pharmacist post discharge follow-up to prevent medication-related admissions. Am J Manag Care. 2018;6(2):e1–8.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Eapen ZJ, Reed SD, Curtis LH, et al. Do heart failure disease management programs make financial sense under a bundled payment system? Am Heart J. 2011;161(5):916–22.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Kovacik A, Bell PC, King S, et al. Impact of delayed prescription fill on readmission rates for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and heart failure. J Am Pharm Assoc. 2018;58(4S):S41–5. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.japh.2018.04.017(Epub 2018 May 9).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Mockler M, O’Loughlin C, Murphy N, et al. Causes and consequences of nonpersistence with heart failure medication. Am J Cardiol. 2009;103(6):834–8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Cox SR, Liebl MG, McComb MN, et al. Association between health literacy and 30-day healthcare use after hospital discharge in the heart failure population. Res Social Admin Pharm. 2017;13:754–8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Chaudhry SI, Herrin J, Phillips C, et al. Racial disparities in health literacy and access to care among patients with heart failure. J Card Fail. 2011;17(2):122–7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Monte SV, Passafiume SN, Kufel WD, et al. Pharmacist home visits: a 1-year experience from a community pharmacy. J Am Pharm Assoc. 2016;56:67–72.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Paul S, DiDonato KL, Liu Y, et al. Rural health systems’ perceptions of referral to community pharmacists during transitions of care. J Am Pharm Assoc. 2016;56:562–7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Gastelurrutia P, Benrimoj SI, Espejo B, et al. Negative clinical outcomes associated with drug-related problems in heart failure (HF) outpatients: impact of a pharmacist in a multidisciplinary HF clinic. J Card Fail. 2011;17(3):217–23.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. McClintock S, Mose R, Smith LF. Strategies for reducing the hospital readmission rates of heart failure patients. J Nurse Pract. 2014;10(6):430–3.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Kennelty KA, Witry MJ, Gehring M, et al. A four-phase approach for systematically collecting data and measuring medication discrepancies when patients transition between health care settings. Res Soc Admin Pharm. 2016;12:548–58.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Bailey JE, Surbhi S, Bell PC, et al. SafeMed: using pharmacy technicians in a novel role as community health workers to improve transitions of care. J Am Pharm Assoc. 2015;56:73–81.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Bleske BE, Dillman NO, Cornelius D, et al. Heart failure assessment at the community pharmacy level: a feasibility pilot study. J Am Pharm Assoc. 2014;54:634–41.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Ploenzke C, Kemp T, Naidl T, et al. Design and implementation of a targeted approach for pharmacist-mediated medication management at care transitions. J Am Pharm Assoc. 2016;56:303–9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Kilethermes MA. Understanding healthcare basics. Pharm Times. 2017;23(7):57–68.

    Google Scholar 

  26. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Employment projections data for pharmacists, 2016–26, Publication no. 29-1051. Washington, DC: Department of Labor; 2018.

    Google Scholar 

  27. Hussey LC, Hardin S, Blanchette C. Outpatient costs of medications for patients with chronic heart failure. Am J Crit Care. 2002;11:474–8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Ni W, Colayco D, Hashimoto J, et al. Impact of a pharmacy-based transitional care program on hospital readmissions. Am J Manag Care. 2017;23(3):170–6.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Milfred-LaForest SK, Gee JA, Pugacz AM, et al. Heart failure transitions of care: a pharmacist-led post discharge pilot experience. Prog Cardiovasc Dis. 2017;60:249–58.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Salas CM, Miyares MA. Implementing a pharmacy resident run transition of care service for heart failure patients: effect on readmission rates. Am J Health Syst Pharm. 2015;72:S43–7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Kalista T, Lemay V, Cohen L. Postdischarge community pharmacist-provided home services for patients after hospitalization for heart failure. J Am Pharm Assoc. 2015;55:438–42.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Hale GM, Hassan SL, Hummel SL, et al. Impact of a pharmacist-managed heart failure postdischarge (bridge) clinic for veterans. Ann Pharmacother. 2017;51(7):555–62.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Truong JT, Backes AC. The impact of a continuum of care resident pharmacist on heart failure readmissions and discharge instructions at a community hospital. SAGE Open Med. 2015;3:2050312115577986.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Moye PM, Chu PS, Pounds T, Thurston MM. Impact of a pharmacy-led intervention program on the readmission rate of elderly patients with heart failure. Am J Health Syst Pharm. 2018;75(4):183–90.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Rodrigues CR, Harrington AR, Murdock N, et al. Effect of pharmacy-supported transition-of-care interventions on 30-day readmissions: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Ann Pharmacother. 2017;51(10):866–89.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. Heaton PC, Frede S, Kordahi A, et al. Improving care transitions through medication therapy management: a community partnership to reduce readmissions in multiple health-systems. J Am Pharm Assoc. 2019. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.japh.2019.01.005(Epub ahead of print).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Feldman JD, Otting RI, Otting CM, Witry MJ. A community pharmacist-led service to facilitate care transitions and reduce hospital readmissions. J Am Pharm Assoc. 2018;58:36–43.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  38. World Health Organization. Classifying healthcare workers: mapping occupations to the international standard classification. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2010.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

We are grateful to the authors of the contributing works, Ms. Debbie Lynn for her contributions to presenting this work at the American Society of Hospital Pharmacists Midyear Clinical Meeting 2018, and Nicole McKay for her assistance acquiring database access.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Bernard J. Dunn School of Pharmacy, Shenandoah University, 1775 North Sector Ct, Winchester, VA, 22601, USA

    Connor McKay, Marcia Brackbill & Sean Hyungwoo Kim

  2. School of Pharmacy, Bouvé College of Health Sciences, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA

    Chanhyun Park

  3. School of Pharmacy, University of Texas at El Paso, 500 West University Avenue, El Paso, 79968, TX, USA

    Jongwha Chang

  4. School of Advanced Material Sciences and Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, 300 Chunchun-Dong, Jangan-Gu, Suwon, 440-746, Republic of Korea

    Jae-Young Choi & Jung Heon Lee

Authors
  1. Connor McKay
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Chanhyun Park
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Jongwha Chang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Marcia Brackbill
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Jae-Young Choi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Jung Heon Lee
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Sean Hyungwoo Kim
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sean Hyungwoo Kim.

Ethics declarations

Funding

No funding was received for the conduct of this study.

Conflict of interest

Connor McKay, Chanhyun Park, Jongwha Chang, Marcia Brackbill, Jae-Young Choi, Jung Heon Lee, and Sean Hyungwoo Kim have no conflicts of interest that are directly relevant to the content of this article.

Electronic supplementary material

Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.

Supplementary material 1 (PDF 28 kb)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

McKay, C., Park, C., Chang, J. et al. Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Pharmacist-Led Transitions of Care Services on the 30-Day All-Cause Readmission Rate of Patients with Congestive Heart Failure. Clin Drug Investig 39, 703–712 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40261-019-00797-2

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40261-019-00797-2

Search

Navigation