Comprehensive and Collaborative Pharmacist Transitions of Care Service for Underserved Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Background: Mortality risk from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) increases significantly in the first year after a 30-day hospital readmission.

Objective: To evaluate a comprehensive and collaborative pharmacist transitions of care service for patients hospitalized with COPD compared to usual care.

Methods: In this within-site, retrospective study, discharge counseling, medication reconciliation, medication access assistance, therapy changes, and post-discharge long-term follow-up were provided to underserved adult patients with a primary care provider at the study clinic and admitted to the affiliated hospital with a primary diagnosis of COPD exacerbation. Primary outcome was a 180-day composite of COPD-related hospitalizations and emergency department (ED) visits. Secondary outcomes were 30-, 60-, 90-, and 180-day events, costs, pharmacist interventions, time to follow-up, and pneumonia.

Results: Sixty-five patients were identified with a total of 101 index admissions. The mean age was 62.5 years, approximately 55.3% were female, and 67.7% were black or African American. The primary composite was significantly lower in the pharmacist intervention group compared to usual care (mean difference 0.82, P=0.0364, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.05-1.60), driven by lower 30-day hospitalizations in the intervention group (mean difference 0.15, P=0.0099, 95% CI 0.04-0.27). Cost associated with COPD-related hospitalizations was significantly lower in the pharmacist intervention group compared to usual care ($173,808, P = 0.0330) as well as before intervention ($79,662, P=0.0233). There was no significant difference in time to follow-up or pneumonia.

Conclusions: A comprehensive, collaborative pharmacist transitions of care service significantly reduced 30-day COPD-related hospital readmissions, ED re-visits, and associated costs in an underserved population.