2026 Southeastern Residency Conference

Title: Impact of a Pharmacist-Led COPD Transitions of Care Program on 30-Day Readmission Rates

Authors: Allison Edmondson, Quyen Nguyen, Jeremy Walley

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a leading cause of mortality in the United States. The total annual medical costs for COPD near 24 billion dollars, with the cost of inpatient care accounting for 6.3 billion of those dollars. Additionally, COPD is a target condition under the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services under the Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program. COPD readmissions pose a significant economic burden to the healthcare system and may result from gaps in care during transitions from the hospital back to home. Transitions of care interventions by pharmacists can assist in bridging gaps in care for these patients.

Methods: This study will implement a pharmacist-led transitions of care program for patients admitted to the hospital with a COPD exacerbation. Pharmacists will assist in optimizing COPD regimens, medication and inhaler technique counseling, medication access, education on symptom self-management, and post-discharge follow-up phone calls. The primary objective is to evaluate the impact of the transitions of care service on 30-day readmission rates for COPD exacerbation within the facility. Secondary objectives will include pharmacist interventions performed.

Results: A total of 102 patients were included in the study. Readmission rates among COPD patients prior to the transition of care service in December 2024 to March 2025 were 27%, compared with 17% following the implementation of the service between December 2025 to March 2026. The primary pharmacist interventions performed included recommendations to change inhaler therapy, phone call follow up, and patient education. Among patient home medications, there was a 20.7% increase of patients on guideline-directed COPD therapy from admission to discharge.

Conclusions: The implementation of a pharmacist-led COPD transitions of care service appeared to decrease 30-day readmission rates. Pharmacists can play a role in helping to optimize therapy, medication access, patient education, and enhancing follow-up care.