The role of the pharmacy team in reducing hospital readmissions v1.5
Research type
Research Study
Full title
An investigation into the role of the pharmacy team in reducing avoidable hospital readmissions
IRAS ID
147368
Contact name
Sarah M Upton
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Huddersfield
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
SAPP-SASEC-15Apr14-P9, University of Huddersfield School of Applied Sciences Ethics Panel
Research summary
This is a joint project between University of Huddersfield & Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust (CHT) to develop an evidence-base for pharmacy interventions in reducing hospital readmissions. Reducing avoidable hospital readmissions is a priority, and the Trust is committed to research as a driver for improving the quality of care and patient experience.
The study is based on an analysis of the effect of interventions routinely carried out by pharmacists. It will involve reviewing and evaluating the effectiveness of a range of pharmaceutical interventions in reducing readmissions. The aim is to identify significant correlations between demographic factors e.g. age/gender/postcode district, medication, and readmission rate. Once correlations are established, they will be used to develop an evidence-based system (tool) to allow pharmacists to prioritise their interventions according to efficacy. The tool will be tested in the later stages of the project, and once validated will be used to target pharmaceutical interventions more effectively to reduce readmissions, and to improve patient outcomes, experience and quality of care.
The use of the tool should realise efficiency savings by reducing avoidable readmissions, and improve the quality and efficiency of pharmacy services. This is consistent with the Quality, Innovation, Productivity and Prevention (QIPP) challenge, improving the quality of care provided by the NHS whilst making necessary efficiency savings.
The interventions assessed during the study may not be novel in isolation, however where multiple interventions are commonplace, basing interventions on evidence developed in the working environment offers the opportunity to establish the most appropriate combinations. A tool that enables that evidence to be put into routine practice is the novel study objective.
REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Leeds West Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/YH/1018
Date of REC Opinion
17 Jul 2014
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion