Applying the Medications at Transitions and Clinical Handoffs Toolkit in a Rural Primary Care Clinic: Implications for Nursing, Patients, and Caregivers.

Abstract

Adequate medication reconciliation is related to patients' safety. Rural populations are at increased risk of adverse drug events due to errors in medication reconciliation and often receiving medical care across multiple health care entities and across long distances with separate electronic medical records. This study examined the implementation of Medications at Transitions and Clinical Handoffs Toolkit (MATCH) in a rural primary care clinic and assessed the acceptability and feasibility of implementation. MATCH was developed as a workflow process intervention to improve medication reconciliation. Findings from MATCH implementation indicate that the process improved medication reconciliation workflow. A shared definition of current medications across providers and patients was essential. Empowering patients and caregivers with tools and language to work with providers, particularly nurses, to conduct medication reconciliation during primary care clinic visits is key to improving patient medication reconciliation in rural settings.