Pharmacist-Led Discharge Transitions of Care Interventions for Pediatric Patients: A Narrative Review

J Pediatr Pharmacol Ther. 2023;28(3):180-191. doi: 10.5863/1551-6776-28.3.180. Epub 2023 Jun 2.

Abstract

Transitions of care (TOC) before, during, and after hospital discharge are an opportune setting to optimize medication management. The quality standards for pediatric care transitions, however, are lacking, leading to reduced health outcomes in children. This narrative review characterizes the pediatric populations that would benefit from focused, TOC interventions. Different types of medication-focused TOC interventions during hospital discharge are described, including medication reconciliation, education, access, and adherence tools. Various TOC intervention delivery models following hospital discharge are also reviewed. The goal of this narrative review is to help pediatric pharmacists and pharmacy leaders better understand TOC interventions and integrate them into the hospital discharge process for children and their caregivers.

Keywords: discharge; intervention; pediatrics; pharmacy; review; transitions of care.