Coordination of Care

Coordination of care presents many challenges when delivered by multiple providers in a variety of settings. Changes in drug therapy may occur when patients see specialty providers or during acute illness or hospitalization. When a case includes multiple disease states and multiple drugs, along with OTC drugs, herbal products, and other supplements, diligent case management is required to ensure continuity of care that is well coordinated (69).

As an extension of the dispensing role of pharmacists, central medication review and drug therapy management (including nonprescription products) can ensure that a current drug therapy plan is appropriately implemented. In one study, collaborative drug therapy management (CDTM), provided by pharmacists in collaboration with other health care providers, resulted in identification of problems in 65% of patients’ drug regimens (70). In other studies, CDTM resulted in decreased morbidity and mortality, as well as decreased costs attributable to fewer unscheduled physician visits, urgent care visits, emergency room visits, and hospital days (71–73).

With coordinated care, all members of the health care team, including the patient, benefit from having a primary resource to deliver intended drug therapy, information, and monitoring for effectiveness and adverse effects. This coordination will help ensure adherence to the intended treatment plan and identify drug and disease management problems in a timely manner.

May 2007

National Diabetes Education Program (NDEP)    http://ndep.nih.gov
NIDDK, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD

A Joint Initiative of the National Institutes of Health and the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention