[Continuity in patient care upon hospital discharge: evaluation of a clinical pharmacy discharge form for community pharmacists].

BACKGROUND

Upon hospital discharge, patients' treatment frequently differ from treatment on admission. In order to improve continuity of care, transmission of pharmacotherapeutic information would be helpful for community pharmacists.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the interest of a "pharmacy discharge plan to community pharmacists.

DESIGN

Prospective pilot study. Upon hospital discharge, patients with treatment modifications received a discharge plan, written by the clinical pharmacist and addressed to their community pharmacists. Two weeks later, the investigator called them to evaluate this document.

SETTING

Two teaching hospitals in Belgium.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The Discharge Plan was evaluated with regard to: usefulness for continuity of care; quality of practical information given; feasibility in terms of time for hospital pharmacists; modalities of transmission; suggestions for improvement.

RESULTS

18 patients were included in the study: 12 pharmacists received the discharge plan. 10 pharmacists thought the document facilitated continuity of patient care; 5 used it to counsel their patients; 10 pharmacists agreed with the modalities of transmission. The mean time needed to fill the document was 25 minutes. Suggestions for improvements were: to add more practical informations (including on unusual drugs); to insist on treatment changes during hospitalisation.

CONCLUSIONS

This study contributed to the creation of the first pharmacy discharge plan in Belgium. Although improvements could be made, results show that community pharmacists are receptive for this collaboration.