Prevalence and Preventability of Drug-Related Hospital Readmissions: A Systematic Review

Najla El Morabet, Elien B Uitvlugt, Bart J F van den Bemt, Patricia M L A van den Bemt, Marjo J A Janssen, Fatma Karapinar-Çarkit

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

113 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To summarize the evidence on the prevalence and preventability of drug-related hospital readmissions.

DESIGN: A systematic review was performed of studies that examined drug-related hospital readmissions. PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library were searched from inception through August 2016. Reference lists and a citation analysis on Web of Science and Scopus were also consulted. Two reviewers extracted study data with dual assessment of risk of bias. Prevalence and preventability of readmission due to drugs were calculated. Data were qualitatively summarized according to outcome.

RESULTS: Nineteen studies met the eligibility criteria. Nine measured readmissions due to drug-related problems, seven due to adverse drug reactions, two due to adverse drug events, and one due to drug-drug interactions. Rates of readmissions due to drugs varied from 3% to 64% (median 21%, interquartile range (IQR) 14-23%). Readmissions were deemed preventable in 5% to 87% of cases (median 69%, IQR 19-84%). Evidence regarding the risk factors for drug-related readmissions and drugs causing these readmissions was inconsistent.

CONCLUSION: Although studies show high variability in prevalence and preventability of drug-related hospital readmissions, readmissions due to drugs seem to occur often, especially in older adults. Further research is needed to specify the causes of preventable readmissions and implement effective interventions to reduce medication-related hospital admissions.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)602-608
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society
Volume66
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Mar-2018
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting Systems/statistics & numerical data
  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions/epidemiology
  • Emergency Service, Hospital/statistics & numerical data
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Medication Errors/statistics & numerical data
  • Medication Reconciliation/statistics & numerical data
  • Middle Aged
  • Patient Readmission/statistics & numerical data
  • Prevalence
  • United States/epidemiology

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