The role of a pharmacist in a super-utilizer care coordination team

BackgroundSuper-utilizer patients have costly and often preventable encounters with the health care system. Our super-utilizer care coordination program consists of an interprofessional team that works to enhance care coordination, improve quality of care, develop patient autonomy, and ultimately reduce utilization and cost.PurposeTo describe the processes of one super-utilizer team and detail the role and responsibilities of a pharmacist in this team.Program processPatients are considered for enrollment if they are ≥18 years of age with at least two hospital admissions in 6 months. Pharmacist procedures through the program include medication reconciliation, home visits, and transition of care services.ResultsSince 2012, the pharmacist has participated in the care of 21 super-utilizer patients. A total of 144 pharmacist interventions occurred, and 98 medication discrepancies were detected and addressed.ConclusionThese results highlight the utility of a pharmacist in preventing and addressing medication errors for super-utilizer patients.