WOONSOCKET, R.I., July 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- A new study
from the CVS Health Research Institute found that medication
reconciliation programs, in which pharmacists review patients'
medication regimens and provide adherence counseling during the
patient's transition from hospital to home, reduced risk of
hospital readmission by 50 percent and helped avoid unnecessary
health care costs. The research, published today in the July issue
of Health Affairs, is the first to evaluate the impact of an
insurer-supported medication reconciliation program on clinical
outcomes and health care spending.
"After leaving the hospital people are especially vulnerable and
are often dealing with complex and changing care regimens, which
can result in high rates of medication non-adherence and increased
risk for costly and unnecessary readmissions," said Troyen A.
Brennan, M.D., executive vice president and Chief Medical Officer,
CVS Health. "In fact, adverse drug events, often attributable to
medication non-adherence, are associated with the majority of
hospital readmissions. This research shows that programs that
provide patients with additional support from a pharmacist can help
improve health outcomes and save payers and patients money."
The study analyzed hospital readmissions of more than 260
members of a national health plan who were hospitalized over a
five-month period. Researchers compared readmission rates for
patients enrolled in a medication reconciliation program upon
hospital discharge to a control group of members who received no
additional support following their initial hospital stay. Those
enrolled in the program received an initial in-home or telephonic
consultation based on their readmission risk and were also offered
ongoing telephonic support for the first 30 days following
discharge. During the initial consultations, pharmacists compared
members' pre- and post- hospitalization medication regimens;
identified discrepancies, redundancies and safety concerns; and
provided education and support regarding medication use and
adherence. The researchers found that risk of hospital readmission
at 30 days was reduced by 50 percent, reducing overall risk of
hospital readmission from 22 percent to 11 percent for those in the
medication reconciliation program. Additionally, the health plan
saved $2 for every $1 spent on the program, resulting in a total
savings of more than $1300 per
member.
"The research found that the positive effects of the pharmacist
consultation on reducing readmission rates and costs were similar
whether the consultation was conducted via an in-home visit from a
pharmacist or over the telephone when the intensity of the
intervention was tailored to members' risk," added Dr. Brennan.
"These results demonstrate that there is an opportunity for payers
to consider adopting programs that provide pharmacist support and
counseling by phone as a cost-efficient way to help improve
medication adherence and health outcomes for their vulnerable
populations."
An estimated one in seven patients discharged from a hospital is
readmitted within 30 days, and readmissions are associated with
more than $41 billion in additional
health care costs per year. In addition, evidence suggests that
approximately 66 percent of hospital readmissions are the result of
adverse health events related to medication non-adherence.
Historically, health insurers have had little control over direct
efforts to reduce hospital readmission rates for their members.
When available, these kinds of programs are largely run by
hospitals and outpatient providers and their impact has not been
broadly evaluated.
The CVS Health Research Institute is focused on contributing to
the body of scientific knowledge related to pharmacy and health
care through research collaborations with external academic
institutions, participation in federally-funded research, analysis
and sharing of CVS Health data sources and coordination of pilot
programs and initiatives. CVS Health Research Institute findings
support a continuous quality improvement environment, which
encourages product innovation and development to benefit CVS Health
patients, clients and their members.
About CVS Health
CVS Health (NYSE: CVS) is a pharmacy
innovation company helping people on their path to better health.
Through its more than 9,600 retail pharmacies, more than 1,100
walk-in medical clinics, a leading pharmacy benefits manager with
nearly 80 million plan members, a dedicated senior pharmacy care
business serving more than one million patients per year, and
expanding specialty pharmacy services, the Company enables people,
businesses and communities to manage health in more affordable and
effective ways. This unique integrated model increases access to
quality care, delivers better health outcomes and lowers overall
health care costs. Find more information about how CVS Health is
shaping the future of health at https://www.cvshealth.com.
Media
Contacts:
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Christine
Cramer
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Christina
Beckerman
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CVS Health
|
CVS Health
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(401)
770-3317
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(401)
770-8868
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christine.cramer@cvshealth.com
|
christina.beckerman@cvshealth.com
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SOURCE CVS Health