Utilizing Pharmacist-Led Telehealth Services in Ambulatory Patients with Heart Failure

Abstract

Background: Heart failure is one of the leading causes of hospital admissions. Non-adherence to medications and poor dietary management for patients who suffer from this condition can lead to worsening of symptoms and hospitalization. Pharmacist interventions via telehealth have demonstrated a beneficial impact on disease management and adherence outcomes in patients with chronic conditions. Methods: This retrospective, descriptive cohort study reviewed subjects from a single-centered primary care office. Data was collected via electronic chart review between January and December 2021. Subjects eligible for inclusion were adults who were diagnosed with heart failure by their primary care provider and referred to a pharmacist for a telehealth visit. The primary outcome was the number of heart failure-related hospitalizations post-pharmacist intervention via telehealth. The secondary outcome was the number of cardiovascular-related hospitalizations post-pharmacist intervention via telehealth. Results: 37 patients were included for analysis. Only two patients were admitted for heart failure post-pharmacist intervention. Fifteen patients were admitted post-pharmacist intervention for a cardiovascular-related hospitalization. Conclusion: This report illustrates the employment of pharmacist-led telehealth services in the chronic heart failure population. This study encourages pharmacist-based interventions via telehealth in the ambulatory setting as few HF-related hospitalizations occurred in this cohort.