263 An Audit of Patient Medication Lists in the Outpatient Setting

Background Medication Reconciliation involves creating the most accurate list of medications that a patient is taking, with the patient/family member/caregiver being the first point of information. The main aim of this audit was to ascertain what proportion of patients attending outpatient appointments, brought an up-to-date list of their medications. Methods The audit was conducted using two anonymous, unlinked questionnaires, one completed by patients/caregivers, another completed by Doctors/Candidate Advanced Nurse Practitioners (cANP). Data was collected between 6/11/18 – 9/11/18 and incorporated Memory Clinics, General Geriatric Clinics and Hypertension/Stroke Clinics. 54 patient questionnaires and 53 Doctor/cANP questionnaires were completed. Results 67% of patients reported having an up-to-date list of medications. 62% of doctors/cANP felt the patient had an up-to-date list. The majority of patients were aged 71-80, on 5-10 medications and felt that their GP had the most up-to-date list of their medications. Only 17% of patients reported that they themselves had the most up-to-date list of their medications. Where patients did not have an up-to-date list, Doctors/cANPs compiled a list by phoning the Pharmacy in 50% of cases and referring to previous clinic letters in 30% of cases. 34% of patients had medications changed at their clinic visit. Conclusion This audit shows that roughly one third of patients do not bring up-to-date lists of medications to their outpatient appointments and only a small proportion of patients feel that they themselves have the most up-to-date list of their own medications. Suggested areas for improvement include patient education campaigns, reminder letters/text messages to patients prior to their clinic appointments and the introduction of a Clinical Pharmacist to the outpatient setting.