Reduction in Medication Refill Encounters Through Primary Care Redesign Workflow Changes. Issue 1 (21st January 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Swedlund, Matthew; Kamnetz, Sandra; Birstler, Jen; Trowbridge, Elizabeth; Arndt, Brian; Micek, Mark; Lochner, Jennifer; Pandhi, Nancy
• Is Part Of: Journal of ambulatory care management. Volume 45:Issue 1(2022)
• Page Start: 36
• Page End: 41
• Publication Date: 2022-01-21
• Subjects: medication refills -- primary care -- primary care redesign; Ambulatory medical care -- Administration -- Periodicals; Ambulatory medical care -- United States -- Administration -- Periodicals; Community health services -- Administration -- Periodicals; Community health services -- United States -- Administration -- Periodicals; Health planning -- Periodicals; Health planning -- United States -- Periodicals; 362.12
• DOI: 10.1097/JAC.0000000000000398
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0148-9917

Abstract

Abstract : With a goal of improving efficiency and reducing workload outside of visits, we sought to examine a primary care redesign process aimed at reducing refill requests made outside of office visits. Data on the number of refill encounters per panel member were collected at 17 clinics before, during, and after the implementation of a redesign process. There was an initial reduction in the number of medication refill encounters, and the rate of refill encounters continued to decline following implementation. Variation across clinic contexts suggests that redesign processes may need to be tailored for different settings to optimize effectiveness.