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Experiences from the implementation of structured patient discharge information for safe medication reconciliation at a Swedish university hospital

Eriksson, Tommy LU ; Höglund, Peter ; Holmdahl, Lydia and Bondesson, Åsa ÅB LU (2011) In EJHP Science 17(2). p.42-49
Abstract
Study objectives:

A method for medication reconciliation that reduces medication errors and healthcare contacts when a patient is discharged from hospital, LIMM-DI (Lund integrated medicines management-discharge information) had been previously developed by the authors. LIMM-DI is structured information written for the patient and sent to the next caregiver. In this study, the use (implementation ratio) and errors when used were measured.



Methods:

During two three-week periods in 2008 and 2009 information on the use of LIMM-DI for every discharged patient at Skåne University Hospital in Lund, Sweden was collected. Medication errors and quality by chart reviews based on a previously developed checklist... (More)
Study objectives:

A method for medication reconciliation that reduces medication errors and healthcare contacts when a patient is discharged from hospital, LIMM-DI (Lund integrated medicines management-discharge information) had been previously developed by the authors. LIMM-DI is structured information written for the patient and sent to the next caregiver. In this study, the use (implementation ratio) and errors when used were measured.



Methods:

During two three-week periods in 2008 and 2009 information on the use of LIMM-DI for every discharged patient at Skåne University Hospital in Lund, Sweden was collected. Medication errors and quality by chart reviews based on a previously developed checklist were also measured. The focus was placed on the medication report—which medications have been changed and why—and the medication list, two vital parts of LIMM-DI.



Results:

One hundred and thirty eight (27%) and 163 (31%) of the patients received LIMM-DI in periods 1 and 2, respectively. The mean number of errors per patient decreased from period 1 to 2 in the medication list (6.5 [standard deviation, SD, 6.0] versus 3.9 (SD, 4.2), p = 0.00098) but not in the medication report (5.3 [SD, 6.3] versus 5.3 [SD, 5.9], p = 0.99).



Conclusion:

Contrary to expectations, the implementation of LIMM-DI was slow and there was no great reduction in the number of medication errors. There is a need to improve the current strategy and to consider alternative strategies for

improving patient safety in the discharge medication reconciliation process. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
* Discharge information * hospital * medication errors/report * medication reconciliation * quality
in
EJHP Science
volume
17
issue
2
pages
42 - 49
publisher
Pharma Publishing and Media Europe
ISSN
1781-7595
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
54b90dd6-e70b-4ff8-8e45-61f6bde7ff0c (old id 3053683)
date added to LUP
2016-04-01 14:14:12
date last changed
2018-11-21 20:24:45
@article{54b90dd6-e70b-4ff8-8e45-61f6bde7ff0c,
  abstract     = {{Study objectives: <br/><br>
A method for medication reconciliation that reduces medication errors and healthcare contacts when a patient is discharged from hospital, LIMM-DI (Lund integrated medicines management-discharge information) had been previously developed by the authors. LIMM-DI is structured information written for the patient and sent to the next caregiver. In this study, the use (implementation ratio) and errors when used were measured.<br/><br>
<br/><br>
Methods: <br/><br>
During two three-week periods in 2008 and 2009 information on the use of LIMM-DI for every discharged patient at Skåne University Hospital in Lund, Sweden was collected. Medication errors and quality by chart reviews based on a previously developed checklist were also measured. The focus was placed on the medication report—which medications have been changed and why—and the medication list, two vital parts of LIMM-DI.<br/><br>
<br/><br>
Results: <br/><br>
One hundred and thirty eight (27%) and 163 (31%) of the patients received LIMM-DI in periods 1 and 2, respectively. The mean number of errors per patient decreased from period 1 to 2 in the medication list (6.5 [standard deviation, SD, 6.0] versus 3.9 (SD, 4.2), p = 0.00098) but not in the medication report (5.3 [SD, 6.3] versus 5.3 [SD, 5.9], p = 0.99).<br/><br>
<br/><br>
Conclusion: <br/><br>
Contrary to expectations, the implementation of LIMM-DI was slow and there was no great reduction in the number of medication errors. There is a need to improve the current strategy and to consider alternative strategies for<br/><br>
improving patient safety in the discharge medication reconciliation process.}},
  author       = {{Eriksson, Tommy and Höglund, Peter and Holmdahl, Lydia and Bondesson, Åsa ÅB}},
  issn         = {{1781-7595}},
  keywords     = {{* Discharge information * hospital * medication errors/report * medication reconciliation * quality}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{2}},
  pages        = {{42--49}},
  publisher    = {{Pharma Publishing and Media Europe}},
  series       = {{EJHP Science}},
  title        = {{Experiences from the implementation of structured patient discharge information for safe medication reconciliation at a Swedish university hospital}},
  url          = {{https://lup.lub.lu.se/search/files/3858498/3131131.pdf}},
  volume       = {{17}},
  year         = {{2011}},
}