An Evaluation of Medication Reconciliation in an Outpatient Nephrology Clinic.

Background: Accreditation Canada recognizes medication reconciliation as a key required organizational practice (ROP) to enhance patient safety. Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) carry a high risk for adverse drug events due to multiple co-morbidities, using many medications, and being cared for by many practitioners. Data evaluating the benefits of ambulatory medication reconciliation (AmbMR) in patients with advanced CKD is limited.

Methods: We retrospectively evaluated types and rates of medication discrepancies and their potential index for patient harm using the Cornish classification system in a cohort of consecutive non-dialysis-dependent CKD stage 5 patients who received AmbMR.

Results: AmbMR was conducted 225 times on 115 patients during the study period. One hundred eighty medication discrepancies were identified. The most common discrepancy identified was incorrect drug followed by discrepant dose, discrepant frequency, and drug omission. Sixty-three percent of discrepancies were classified as unlikely to cause patient discomfort or clinical deterioration, 36% were classified as likely to cause moderate harm, and one percent was classified as potential to cause serious harm.

Conclusion: Medication discrepancies are common in patients with advanced CKD. Nearly a quarter of patients may experience moderate discomfort or clinical deterioration from discrepancies. Our study showed that in patients with non-dialysis-dependent CKD stage 5, the risk of patient harm associated with medication discrepancies can be reduced by conducting AmbMR.