Impact of a Pharmacy-Initiated Inpatient Diabetes Patient Education Program on 30-Day Readmission Rates

Background: In October 2012, a pharmacy-driven Inpatient Diabetes Patient Education (IDPE) program was implemented at the University of Toledo Medical Center (UTMC). Objective: To determine the difference in 30-day hospital readmission rates for patients who receive IDPE compared to those who do not. Methods: This retrospective cohort was completed at UTMC. Patients admitted between October 1, 2012, and September 30, 2013, were included if they were >= 18 years and had one of the following: (1) diagnosis of diabetes mellitus, (2) blood glucose >200 mg/dL (>11.11 mmol/L) on admission, or (3) hemoglobin A(1C) of >6.5% (>48 mmol/mol). Patients who received IDPE from a pharmacist or student pharmacist (intervention group) were compared to patients who did not receive IDPE (control group). Results: The 30-day readmission rate was 13.2% for the intervention group (n = 364) and 21.5% for the control group (n = 149) (P = .023). Average time to 30-day readmission was 13.1 (+/- 8.3) days for the IDPE group and 11.9 (+/- 7.9) days for the control group. There was no significant difference in diabetes-related readmission between the intervention and control groups (25.5% vs 21.9%). Conclusions: An IDPE program delivered primarily by pharmacists and student pharmacists significantly reduced 30-day readmission rates among patients with diabetes.