Medication reconciliation in a hospital environment: Avoided discrepancies and cost savings – A single arm intervention study. Benefits of medication reconciliation in a hospital
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1590/s2175-97902025e231043Keywords:
Cost savings, Economics, Pharmaceutical, Investments, Medication reconciliationAbstract
Medication reconciliation has proven to be essential for patient safety. However, studies on its economic viability are still scarce. Therefore, the aim of this study was to understand the avoided cost of medication discrepancies identified through the medication reconciliation service at the hospital level. Single-arm intervention study, linked to the evaluation of return on investment. Patients admitted to a hospital from March to August 2020, who underwent a medication reconciliation service, were included. With regard to medication reconciliation, in the 102 pharmaceutical admissions of patients participating in the study, 62 discrepancies were found, being 37 (59.7 %) unintentional and 25 (40.3 %) intentional. A total of 49.0 % of interventions were accepted or partially accepted by the prescriber. The suggestion to include medication used at home in the prescription represented 78.0 % of the interventions. The total cost avoided from pharmaceutical interventions in unintentional discrepancies over the 60-day period was R$9,406.59 (US$1,802.03). A high number of unintentional discrepancies in hospital prescriptions was observed. The role of the pharmacist in reconciling medication has a relatively low cost compared to their relevant role in preventing errors and avoiding costs.
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