Improving Patient Medication Reconciliation Participation and Compliance Through Education

<p>Abstract </p> <p>The healthcare world is complex. At the center of this world are patients and their safety. Medication knowledge and medication reconciliation compliance are factors that influence patient’s safety and their overall health outcomes. This project explores the theme of patient safety by examining the relationship between patient education and health outcomes. The microsystem, located in the heart of San Francisco, is an outpatient clinic specializing in patients with renal impairment that each diverse and unique. A pre-implementation survey found that only 38% of patients were bringing their medications to appointments. A goal of improving compliance to 50% by December 2015 was set. By educating patients about the importance of their medications and the medication process, patients will be empowered to make informed health decisions and the possibility of suffering a medication error or adverse event will be decreased, ultimately, reducing their risk of emergency room visits or even death. An educational pamphlet was created, distributed as well as a visual poster that was placed in the waiting room as a visual cue. After implementing the project, medication reconciliation compliance increased from 38% to 40%. Although the goal was not reached, the results show that change is possible.</p> <p><em>Keywords</em>: patient education, medication safety, medication reconciliation, patient-centered care, patient autonomy, reducing medication errors</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Level thesis:degree_level

Project/Capstone - Global access

Year dc:date.available

2015

Author dc:creator

• Herrera, Maria Elena

Contributors dc:contributor

• Karin Blais, MSN, RN, CNL
• Elena Capella, EdD, MSN, MPA, RN, CNL, CPHQ, LNCC
• Mary S. Seed, PhD, RN, CNL

• patient education
• medication safety
• medication reconciliation
• patient-centered care
• patient autonomy
• reducing medication errors
• Medicine and Health Sciences
• Nursing

Repository record dc:identifier

https://repository.usfca.edu/capstone/208

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:repository.usfca.edu:capstone-1218