Retrospective analysis of emergency readmissions to rural and regional hospitals

Background: According to the evidence, hospital readmissions within a month of discharge occur in approximately one-third of older patients and that the majority of readmissions are preventable. Missing medication information at discharge was identified as a contributor to hospital readmissions. Aim: To identify unplanned readmissions within 28 days of hospital discharge attributable to medications; to assess preventability; and in the medication-related readmissions to identify the medication management information supplied to the GP on initial discharge and whether these patients were seen by a pharmacist during the initial stay and readmission. Method: Records were analysed of patients who had an unplanned readmission within 28 days of discharge, aged 65 years and over, and on 3 or more medications at the time of discharge. A documented method developed for measuring causality, preventability and contribution of medications to the readmission was utilised. Results: 170 patients from 1 regional and 2 rural hospitals were included in the analysis. 39 (23%) readmissions were medication related and 34 (87%) of these were preventable. Dominant reasons for readmission were inadequate communication/monitoring (41%) and inappropriate/suboptimal pharmacological therapy at discharge (62%). Conclusion: Gaps in communicating medication management information across the hospital–community interface continue to contribute to avoidable unplanned readmissions.

Journal of Pharmacy Practice and Research

Journal of Pharmacy Practice and Research

41

1445-937X

N/A

4

5