PharmD Transitions of Care Program (PHARMD-TOC): A Community Pharmacy Transitions of Care Program

Many hospitals and medical groups have developed transitions of care (TOC) programs or procedures in an attempt to reduce hospital readmission and reutilization rates of patients discharged from the hospital. As healthcare's most accessible practitioners, Community Pharmacists have a unique opportunity to assist with reducing unnecessary hospital re-utilization (re-admissions and emergency department visits) after hospital discharge. The purpose of this study is to conduct and evaluate the implementation of a Community Pharmacy-based Transitions of Care (TOC) Program for high-risk post-discharge patients of PIH Health Hospital-Whittier (PIH). The primary objective will be to compare the proportion of patients with hospital re-utilization (readmission, observation status, ED visits) during 30-days post hospital discharge between patients randomly assigned to the PHARMD-TOC group vs. the historic rate at PIH. Secondary analyses will examine differences between groups and describe implementation details of the PHARMD-TOC model of patient care.