Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects
Access Control
Open Access
Embargo Period
4-29-2015
Degree Program
Doctor of Nursing Practice
Degree Track
Public Health Nurse Leader
Year Degree Awarded
2015
Month Degree Awarded
May
Keywords
medication, reconciliation, discrepancies, adverse events, older adults
Advisor
Raeann G LeBlanc
DNP Project Chair
Raeann G LeBlanc
DNP Project Member Name
Joan Roche
DNP Project Outside Member Name
Mary DeVeau
Abstract
Accurate medication reconciliation with every transition of care is necessary to prevent and eliminate medication discrepancies and errors that may lead to increased hospital readmissions and potential adverse events related to medication errors. For the older population, this is especially important when considering the increasing rates of polypharmacy in this age group. This capstone project evaluated a nurse-led medication reconciliation program, including teaching after patient discharge from a hospital or facility to home, and coordination and communication with patient’s primary care provider. The project measured issues with medication reconciliation across care transitions at the individual, provider, system, and community levels, and the impact of nursing interventions through process and outcomes measures. The goals of the program are to support patient safety, improve patient ability to self-manage medication therapy independently or with family support, increase health care quality and perception of quality of life, and decrease health care costs. From a public health perspective, expansion of this nurse-led program model has potential for significant positive effect on health care management and outcomesacross a larger population.
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