Improving Hospital Discharge Through Medication Reconciliation and Education

Mark Williams, M.D., Emory University, Atlanta, GA
AHRQ Grant No. HS015882-01

Overview

This project implements a "discharge bundle" consisting of medication reconciliation, patient-centered hospital discharge education, and post discharge continuity checks. This intervention improves the safety of patient discharges from the hospital by increasing patients' understanding of their illness and treatment and fostering continuity of care. The toolkit contains such resources as:

• Medication reconciliation forms.
• A checklist for discharge patient education.
• A checklist for a post-discharge continuity check as well as suggestions for successful implementation.

Target Audience

Physicians, nurses, pharmacists, quality and safety professionals, patients, caregivers..

Health Care Setting

Hospital care units, pharmacies.

Toolkit Web Site

http://www.hospitalmedicine.org/ResourceRoomRedesign/RR_CareTransitions/CT_Home.cfm

Press Releases

AHRQ Awards More Than $8 Million To Further Implementation of Evidence-Based Patient Safety Findings
June 8, 2005

Impact Case Studies

Society of Hospital Medicine — Posted July 2010