Combined Social Worker and Pharmacist Transitional Care Program

Rush University Medical Center100 enrolled

Overview

In an effort to improve care coordination and reduce hospital readmissions, Rush University Medical Center developed the Combined Social Worker and Pharmacist Program, which targets both the psychosocial and clinical risk factors that can lead to rehospitalization. This study will evaluate the impact of this program on 30-day same hospital readmission rates and total cost of care.

If a patient is enrolled in the Combined Social Worker and Pharmacist Program their care will differ from usual care in a number of different ways. First, while the patient is in the hospital, an interdisciplinary group of providers will round on the patient on a regular basis. This interdisciplinary team will be composed of an attending physician, clinical pharmacist, nurse, case manager, and social worker, who will all evaluate the patient's needs from a variety of perspectives to ensure that the patient is prepared for discharge and self-manage post-discharge. During the patient's hospital stay, a clinical pharmacist will also conduct a detailed medication reconciliation of home medications, assess medication-related risks, and provide relevant education to patients participating in the program. After the patient is discharged from Rush University Medical Center, a Master's prepared social worker will then contact the patient and conduct an assessment from a psychosocial perspective to identify any unmet needs. Lastly, a clinical pharmacist will be available to patients enrolled in the Combined Social Worker and Pharmacist Program, should they have any medication-related questions post-discharge.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

NON_RANDOMIZED

Purpose

HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

100

Conditions

Patient Admission Patient Discharge

Interventions

Combined Social Worker and Pharmacist ProgramBEHAVIORAL

Physician or nurse performs a med rec during hospital stay Clinical pharmacist completes an additional med rec of home meds, assesses med-related risks, and provides education After discharge, a Master's prepared social worker contacts the patient and conducts an assessment from a psychosocial perspective to identify any unmet needs. Pharmacist will be available to patients should they have any medication-related questions post-discharge

No Intervention: Usual CareBEHAVIORAL

Patient receives usual care upon discharge from the hospital.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Age \> 18 * Planned discharge to home or home health * English-speaking * At least one of the following risk factors: * Use of high risk medication(s): Anti-coagulant therapy, dual ASA/plavix therapy, anticholinergic agent, digoxin, opioids, psychotropic medications, or erythrocyte stimulating factor * Clinical risk factor: Depression, fall risk, limited functional capacity, substance abuse, dementia * Psycho-social risk factor: high care giver burden, family conflict, limited health literacy, lives alone, significant patient stress, transportation concerns, health care scheduling concerns, inadequate emotional support. Exclusion Criteria: * Hospice * Solid organ transplant * End-stage renal disease * Current chemotherapy or radiation therapy

Locations (1)

Rush University Medical Center

Chicago, Illinois, United States

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

30-day Same Hospital Readmission Rate

Time frame: 30 days following hospital discharge

Secondary Outcomes

Total Cost of Care

Outcome measure seeks to capture the total cost of care within 30 days of discharge (i.e., costs associated with hospital readmissions, ED visits, outpatient visits, and program costs, if applicable).

Time frame: 30 days following hospital discharge

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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