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

    Linda.Patterson@aaaht.scot.nhs.uk

  • 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