Extending pharmacy services to the point of discharge

Butler, Eamonn; Collins, C.; McCarthy, Suzanne

Extending pharmacy services to the point of discharge

Files

Extending-Pharmacy-Services-to-the-Point-of-Discharge.pdf(223.61 KB)

Published Version

Date

2021-01

Authors

Butler, Eamonn

Collins, C.

McCarthy, Suzanne

Publisher

Irish Medical Organisation

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the impact of introducing a clinical pharmacist led discharge service on medication safety at the point of discharge and its acceptability to healthcare staff. Methods: A retrospective chart review to identify medication discrepancies was undertaken before and after the introduction of a pharmacist led discharge service. An evaluation was undertaken by means of a questionnaire to community pharmacists, GPs and hospital clinicians. Results: The pharmacist led discharge service significantly reduced errors from 50% (n=17) to 7% (n=2) of patients (p<0.001) and 10% (n=22) to 1% (n=2) of medication orders (p=0.001). The evaluation revealed that the majority of clinicians found the service useful, had the potential to reduce errors and improve communication. Conclusion: Pharmacist involvement at the point of discharge had a significant impact on medication safety. Crucially, in this project, we show the service was received well by medical personnel and improved communication between primary and secondary care, enhancing implementation potential.

Keywords

Pharmacy , Point of discharge , Medication reconciliation , Medication error , Safety

Citation

Butler, E., Collins, C. and McCarthy, S. (2021) 'Extending pharmacy services to the point of discharge', Irish Medical Journal, 114(1), P235 (9pp). Available at: http://www.imj.ie/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Extending-Pharmacy-Services-to-the-Point-of-Discharge.pdf (Accessed: 1 March 2021)