Journal of Applied Pharmacy
Open Access

Establishment and Execution of a Hospital-Based Meds-to-Beds Program Led by Pharmacy Personnel

Katherine Nicholas^{* *}Correspondence: Katherine Nicholas, Department of Clinical Pharmacy, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal, Email:

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Description

Meds-to-beds programs have been gaining popularity in recent years as a way to improve patient care and medication adherence. These programs involve delivering medications directly to patients before they leave the hospital, thereby reducing the risk of medication errors and improving medication adherence. The transition of care handled by the pharmacist is the transition from the hospital bed to the home. Patients are often stabilized in the hospital on specific new drugs. Traditionally, upon discharge, patients are prescribed to continue treatment initiated in the hospital.

Physicians can send prescriptions electronically to a patient's pharmacy of choice in the hope that the patient will stop by the pharmacy, pick up the medication, and continue an uninterrupted treatment cycle. This is particularly important for patients who are discharged with multiple medications or who have difficulty managing their medications at home.

Benefits of a meds-to-beds program

The benefits of a meds-to-beds program are numerous. Firstly, it can improve patient outcomes by ensuring that patients receive their medications in a timely and efficient manner. This can help to reduce the risk of medication errors and improve medication adherence, both of which are important for patient safety and well-being.

Secondly, a meds-to-beds program can help to reduce hospital readmissions. Studies have shown that patients who receive their medications before leaving the hospital are less likely to be readmitted within 30 days of discharge..

This is because they are more likely to take their medications as prescribed, which can help to prevent complications and worsening of their condition. Finally, a meds-to-beds program can improve patient satisfaction. Patients appreciate the convenience of having their medications delivered directly to them before they leave the hospital, and this can help to improve their overall experience of care.

Steps for creating a meds-to-beds program

Creating a meds-to-beds program requires careful planning and coordination. The following steps can help to ensure a successful implementation:

Identify the target patient population: Before creating a medsto- beds program, it is important to identify the target patient population. This might include patients who are discharged with multiple medications, those who have difficulty managing their medications at home, or those who are at risk of medication errors.

Establish partnerships: A successful meds-to-beds program requires partnerships with various stakeholders, including hospital administration, physicians, nurses, and pharmacy staff. It is important to establish these partnerships early on to ensure that everyone is on board with the program and understands their role in its implementation.

Develop a workflow: Once the target patient population has been identified and partnerships established, the next step is to develop a workflow for the meds-to-beds program. This should include the process of identifying eligible patients, obtaining medication orders from physicians, dispensing medications, and delivering them to patients.

Train pharmacy staff: Pharmacy staff will play a key role in the success of the meds-to-beds program, and it is important to ensure that they are adequately trained. This might include training on medication dispensing, patient counseling, and documentation.

Pilot the program: Before rolling out the meds-to-beds program hospital-wide, it is important to pilot it in a small group of patients. This will allow for any issues to be identified and addressed before the program is implemented on a larger scale.

Monitor and evaluate the program: Once the program has been implemented, it is important to monitor and evaluate its effectiveness. This might include tracking medication adherence, readmission rates, and patient satisfaction.