Cost-effectiveness of a transitional pharmaceutical care program for patients discharged from the hospital

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0174513
• Publication Date: 2017-04-26T13:46:09Z
• Authors: Fatma Karapinar-Ç...; Ronald van der Knaap; Fatiha Bouhannouch; Sander D. Borgsteede; Marjo J. A. Janssen; Carl E. H. Siegert; Toine C. G. Egberts; Patricia M. L. A....; Marieke F. van Wier; Judith E. Bosmans
• Keywords: Male; Science; Cost-Benefit Analysis; EMC OR-01; 03 medical and health sciences; Medication Reconciliation; 0302 clinical medicine; SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being; 80 and over; Journal Article; Humans; Controlled Clinical Trial; Program Development; Hospitals, Teaching; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Teaching; Q; R; Middle Aged; Hospitals; Patient Discharge; 3. Good health; Hospitalization; Pharmaceutical Services; Medicine; Female; Quality-Adjusted Life Years; Research Article

Background To improve continuity of care at hospital admission and discharge to decrease medication errors pharmaceutical programs are developed. This study aims determine the cost-effectiveness COACH program in comparison with usual from a societal perspective. Methods A controlled clinical trial was performed Internal Medicine department general teaching hospital. All admitted patients using least one prescription drug were included. The consisted reconciliation, patient counselling discharge, communication healthcare providers primary care. outcome proportion an unplanned rehospitalisation within three months after discharge. Also, number quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) assessed. Cost data collected cost diaries. Uncertainty surrounding differences incremental ratios between groups estimated by bootstrapping. Results In program, 168 included 151 patients. There no significant difference rehospitalisations (mean 0.17%, 95% CI -8.85;8.51), QALYs -0.0085, -0.0170;0.0001). Total costs for non-significantly lower than (-€1160, -3168;847). Cost-effectiveness planes showed that not cost-effective compared gained. Conclusion Future studies should focus on high risk include other outcomes (e.g. adverse events) as this may increase chances intervention. Dutch register NTR1519