Pharmacist Visits Reduce Heart Failure Admissions

An Australian study demonstrated that pharmacist in-home visits to heart failure patients resulted in fewer hospitalizations over a one-year period (5.5% versus 12% for the control group). Pretty clear that this service delivers good value.

Out of 100 heart failure patients:

• 6.5 fewer admissions x $15,000 per admission = $97,500
• Savings per 100 patients = $97,500/100 = $9,750
• ROI target of 5:1 allows for pharmacist service costs of $1,950/patient

I think I would be quite happy working with 100 patients per year for $1,950 each. It would be nice to know how much each intervention cost and how this compares to other CHF disease management programs. Here's a link to a 2005 review of DM programs that highlight savings and ROI.