gms | German Medical Science

Introduction: Drug treatment is subject to regular changes at hospital admission, discharge and during subsequent treatment by primary care physicians. According to Vira et al. [1] more than 30 % of changes at hospital admission and 41 % of changes at discharges are unintentional by their nature. A structured and standardized communication between hospitals and primary care (and vice versa) with regard to medication has not yet been established in Germany. A standardized medication plan, accepted by all stakeholders, and electronically available, should contribute to optimization of communication and increased safety of drug therapy [2]. From October 2016 on every patient in Germany who receives at least 3 different drugs on a regular basis should receive such a medication plan, at least a paper-based version.

Aim of the project: The primary aim of the project is the evaluation of the use of the medication plan (specification 2.0, correction from 15.12.2014) in 150 patients in the region of Erfurt, Thuringia.

Methods: Patients receiving at least 3 drugs on a regular basis can be enrolled either by their primary care physicians or in the HELIOS Klinikum Erfurt. Currently 12 physicians and 12 pharmacies are participating in the project. Information about the patient, the care provider and the medication is stored in this standardized medication plan in a 2D-barcode and retrievable with a barcode-scanner [2].

Participating patients are observed over a 12 months period. They are requested to show their medication plan at every physician and pharmacy contact. All changes should be integrated and a new medication plan will be produced, handed over (paper version) to the patient and stored pseudonymized in an ACCESS data base. Changes in drug treatment over this 12 months period can be analyzed from the information collected. Moreover, patients, physicians and pharmacists will receive questionnaires regarding acceptance and practicability of the medication plan and the procedures. In addition, patients will be asked about drug therapy knowledge and adherence. Patients are also requested to document in a diary any problems occurring with their medication and medication plan.

Results: The vote of the ethics committee of the chamber of physicians of Thuringia has been obtained. Currently 50 patients have been enrolled, end of the project is scheduled for December 2016.

This study is supported by the German Ministry of Health, Kapitel 1502, Titel 68605.