Medicine Reconciliation
Research type
Research Study
Full title
To explore and explain the medicine reconciliation process for patients admitted to the acute hospital setting.
IRAS ID
192927
Contact name
Linda F M Patterson
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Stirling
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 6 months, 0 days
Research summary
Medicines Reconciliation is a process to ensure patients are prescribed the correct medications, in the correct doses, appropriate to their current clinical condition during transitions of healthcare. The rationale for doing so is to ensure patients are not exposed to unnecessary risk as a result of regular medications not being prescribed during their hospital stay. While a relatively straightforward task there is evidence available that demonstrates medicine reconciliation is poorly undertaken on hospital admission.
The Research Aim is to explore and explain the medicine reconciliation process for patients admitted to the acute hospital setting. The research is being conducted to answer the following questions:
1. What is the current medicine reconciliation process within the acute healthcare setting?
2. What factors affect the medicine reconciliation process?
3. How does the current medicine reconciliation process compare with the Scottish Government recommendations in place?
The study will be conducted adopting a qualitative approach using a two-site case study research strategy. Two small district general hospitals in the West of Scotland have been chosen as potential sites. Focus is being placed on how medicine reconciliation is completed for patients admitted to the acute hospital setting by healthcare professionals. Therefore both doctors and pharmacists involved in the admission and medicine reconciliation process for patients have been identified as potential participants.
It is proposed that an overt participant observation study will be conducted. The chief investigator will shadow healthcare professionals and observe how healthcare professionals obtain an accurate medication history from patients admitted to the acute healthcare setting. Potential participants may then be selected for a semi-structured interview. It is proposed that the data will be collected over a 4 week time period.REC name
London - City & East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/LO/2201
Date of REC Opinion
18 Jan 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion