Transplant Pharmacist Intervention During Pediatric Care Center Transfers: An Unaddressed Gap

ABSTRACT Background Risk for medication error increases during care transitions. Error susceptibility increases in pediatrics due to age and weight‐based dosing. Governing bodies acknowledge errors endanger patients, and transplant pharmacotherapy experts are mandated by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Pharmacist‐led medication histories reduce errors; however, pharmacists' roles in the transitions of care between transplant centers are unaddressed by CMS. We assessed the impact of transplant pharmacist involvement in medication histories for pediatrics transitioning between transplant centers. Methods Pediatric patients pre‐ or post‐heart transplant transitioning to our center were proactively identified. Transplant pharmacists conducted medication histories by phone with caregivers and tracked discrepancies between existing medication lists and interview responses. Descriptive statistical analyses were completed. Results Of 27 patients identified, seven caregivers were uncontactable, one declined participation, and 19 underwent transplant pharmacist medication history. Medication list errors were detected in 100% of patients ( n = 19), with a median [IQR] of 5 [3–11] issues per patient. Of 122 issues, 72 (59%) were inaccurate or missing data, 17.2% ( n = 21) listed stopped drugs, 9.8% ( n = 12) revealed incorrect administration routes, 7.4% ( n = 9) were duplicate medications, and 6.6% ( n = 8) of errors were medications needing to be added. Corrections included updating 84 inaccuracies (68.8%); removing/adding drugs (30 [24.6%] and 8 [6.6%], respectively); and team communication. Conclusions Complex dosing strategies in pediatrics confer error vulnerability. Designing transition of care processes with transplant pharmacist involvement in medication histories can assist in ensuring medication list accuracy, thereby improving pediatric patient safety.