Authors' recommendations: Based on low to moderate quality evidence, results of medication reconciliation on patient outcomes are mixed. Three individual studies (2 RCTs and 1 observational) found no difference in hospital readmission rates within 30 days of discharge between intervention and control groups. However, 3 studies (2 RCTs and 1 observational) found a statistically significant reduction in hospital readmission rates within 30 days in the intervention group compared to the control group. Two observational studies found no difference in emergency department visits within 30 days of discharge between the intervention and control group, and 3 RCT studies found a statistically significant reduction in emergency department visits within 30 days of discharge between the intervention and control groups. Two RCT studies found clinically significant difference in medication discrepancies (PADE or ADE) between intervention and control groups. On the other hand, 2 studies (1 RCT and 1 observational) found a statistically significant reduction in medication discrepancies (PADE or ADE) between the intervention and control groups. It is not possible to make conclusions about the effect of medication reconciliation on patient outcomes as there is limited evidence on medication reconciliation in isolation of other care coordination interventions.

Project Status: Completed

Year Published: 2015

URL for published report: http://www.hqontario.ca/Portals/0/Documents/eds/rapid-reviews/qbp-chf-medrec-20141211-en.pdf

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: Canada

Organisation Name: Health Quality Ontario

Contact Address: Evidence Development and Standards, Health Quality Ontario, 130 Bloor Street West, 10th floor, Toronto, Ontario Canada M5S 1N5

Contact Name: EDSinfo@hqontario.ca

Contact Email: OH-HQO_hta-reg@ontariohealth.ca

Copyright: Health Quality Ontario