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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2013 Sep 15;70(18):1592-600.
doi: 10.2146/ajhp120786.

Underutilization of cardiovascular medications: effect of a continuity-of-care program

Emily N Israel  1 , T Michael Farley, Karen B Farris, Barry L Carter
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Underutilization of cardiovascular medications: effect of a continuity-of-care program

Emily N Israel et al. Am J Health Syst Pharm. .

Abstract

Purpose: The effect of hospital pharmacists' enhanced communication with patients and community providers on the underutilization of key cardiovascular medications was studied.

Methods: Patients enrolled in the Iowa Continuity of Care study were eligible for inclusion in this study if they had a diagnosis of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, heart failure, coronary artery disease, or a combination of these diagnoses. Eligible patients also had to be admitted to the internal medicine, family medicine, cardiology, or orthopedics services and receive their usual medical care in the community and their prescriptions from a community pharmacy. Patients were randomized to receive minimal intervention, enhanced intervention, or usual care. For the minimal- and enhanced-intervention groups, pharmacy case managers (PCMs) performed comprehensive medication reconciliations and identified drug-related problems within 24 hours of admission. The PCMs made recommendations to the inpatient care team and to patients' community physicians. For patients in the enhanced-intervention group, the PCM developed a discharge care plan containing the patient's discharge medication list. PCMs made specific recommendations to optimize regimens that did not meet current guidelines or medications that were underutilized. Medication underutilization was assessed at admission, discharge, 30 days after discharge, and 90 days after discharge.

Results: A total of 732 patients were enrolled in this study. There were no significant differences among the three study groups. Overall, the rate of underutilization remained constant among all three groups, despite enhanced pharmacist involvement in both intervention groups.

Conclusion: Enhanced interventions by PCMs had no effect on the underutilization of key cardiovascular drugs during hospitalization or after hospital discharge.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Study design and patients. UIHC = University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, ADE = adverse drug event. (Adapted from Carter et al.)
Figure 2
Figure 2
Overall number of underutilizations within each study group at each time point.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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