Involving Community Pharmacists In Transfer Of Care From Hospital: Indications Of Reduced 30-Day Hospital Readmission Rates For Patients In Cornwall

Objectives The purpose of this study was to determine any benefit from a discharge transfer of care service from hospital to community pharmacy.Method A cross-sectional cohort design was used to compare actioned and non-actioned transfers of care.Key Findings Of the 1130 transfers of care referrals to pharmacies in 2017, 365 patients received an actioned community pharmacy service after discharge. The 30-day readmission rate was 8.5% (31/365) in those who received an actioned community pharmacist service compared to 23.3% (178/765) in those who did not. Odds ratio for readmission at 30 days was 3.26 (95% CI 2.04 to 4.59, P < 0.0001), significantly higher in those not receiving an actioned transfer of care service.Conclusion Involving community pharmacy at patient discharge appears to contribute to lower rates of readmission.