Getting Patients to Take Their Meds After Hospital Discharge

In a randomized trial, a multifaceted intervention significantly improved the rate of adherence to cardiac medications after acute coronary syndromes.

Because patients often do not take the medications they are prescribed, strategies to improve adherence attract great interest (NEJM JW Cardiol Nov 14 2011). In a study conducted at four U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers, 253 patients hospitalized for acute coronary syndromes were randomized before discharge either to an intervention for improving adherence to cardioprotective medications or to usual care. The intervention consisted of pharmacist-led medication reconciliation and tailoring; patient education at discharge and by the pharmacist at 1-week and 1-month follow-up; collaborative care between the pharmacist and the patient's primary care clinician and cardiologist; and voice messaging (educational and medication r…

Reviewing Author

Harlan M. Krumholz, MD, SM

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardUnited Healthcare; Element Science; Eyedentifeye, F-Prime

EquityHugo Health; Refactor Health; Element Science

Grant/Research SupportPfizer; Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality; Janssen Research and Development, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Engineering; National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; National Cancer Institute; American Heart Association

Harlan M. Krumholz, MD, SM

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardUnited Healthcare; Element Science; Eyedentifeye, F-Prime

EquityHugo Health; Refactor Health; Element Science

Getting Patients to Take Their Meds After Hospital Discharge

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Reviewing Author