Combined Social Worker and Pharmacist Transitional Care Program

If a patient is enrolled in the Combined Social Worker and Pharmacist Program their care will differ from usual care in a number of different ways. First, while the patient is in the hospital, an interdisciplinary group of providers will round on the patient on a regular basis. This interdisciplinary team will be composed of an attending physician, clinical pharmacist, nurse, case manager, and social worker, who will all evaluate the patient's needs from a variety of perspectives to ensure that the patient is prepared for discharge and self-manage post-discharge. During the patient's hospital stay, a clinical pharmacist will also conduct a detailed medication reconciliation of home medications, assess medication-related risks, and provide relevant education to patients participating in the program. After the patient is discharged from Rush University Medical Center, a Master's prepared social worker will then contact the patient and conduct an assessment from a psychosocial perspective to identify any unmet needs. Lastly, a clinical pharmacist will be available to patients enrolled in the Combined Social Worker and Pharmacist Program, should they have any medication-related questions post-discharge.

Inclusion criteria

• Age > 18
• Planned discharge to home or home health
• English-speaking
• At least one of the following risk factors:
• Use of high risk medication(s): Anti-coagulant therapy, dual ASA/plavix therapy, anticholinergic agent, digoxin, opioids, psychotropic medications, or erythrocyte stimulating factor
• Clinical risk factor: Depression, fall risk, limited functional capacity, substance abuse, dementia
• Psycho-social risk factor: high care giver burden, family conflict, limited health literacy, lives alone, significant patient stress, transportation concerns, health care scheduling concerns, inadequate emotional support.

Exclusion criteria

• Hospice
• Solid organ transplant
• End-stage renal disease
• Current chemotherapy or radiation therapy