Reduce Readmissions through Medication Management

Policies that are already in use, as well as new long-term implementations, can help to reduce preventable hospital readmissions by improving management of patients' medications and adherence to a medication regimen, says the report Reducing Hospital Readmissions through Medication Management and Improved Patient Adherence, from the Network for Excellence in Health Innovation, the Anthem Foundation, Anthem Blue Cross in California, and Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield in Connecticut. The report recommends both short- and long-term actions that practitioners and healthcare organizations can take to improve medication management. Short-term recommendations include supporting the implementation of evidence-based care transition strategies, identifying patients at significant risk of readmission while within the emergency department, prioritizing medication reconciliation quality, utilizing patient-centered medical homes during transitions of care, and coordinating with pharmacy to strengthen medication management.