Impact of clinical pharmacy services on outcomes and costs for indigent patients with diabetes

Abstract

Objectives: To provide a review of the outcomes and costs in patients seen by Clinical Pharmacy Specialist (CPS) Certified Diabetes Educators in ambulatory care for diabetes management.

Study design: A retrospective chart review.

Methods: All patients discharged by a CPS for diabetes management between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2013, were included.

Results: A total of 915 patients were discharged from CPS services. The majority of patients had type 2 diabetes (98.7%) and were female (63.1%), Hispanic (53.3%), and on average, were aged 56 years. The patients were seen by the CPS for approximately 5.3 face-to-face visits, and by their provider for 1.9 face-to-face visits. The average difference from baseline for glycated hemoglobin was -2.6%, while the average systolic and diastolic blood pressures improved by -8 mm Hg and -3 mm Hg, respectively. The major lipid parameters also reported improvement, averaging -23 mg/dL for total cholesterol, -54 mg/dL for triglycerides, -15 mg/dL for low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, -23 mg/dL for non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C), and +0.8 mg/dL for HDL-C. Overall, the average difference from baseline to final visit for the numbers and costs of medications and diabetes supplies per patient increased slightly. Medication adherence also improved each year in patients with diabetes.

Conclusions: The CPSs directly impact patient care through improvements in clinical outcomes. They help patients achieve disease-state goals for diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia through a variety of clinical interventions and by promoting medication adherence. These data demonstrate the significant positive impact to the institution that clinical pharmacy services have in diabetes management.