Enablers and barriers for hospital pharmacy information systems

Abstract

Pharmacy plays a pivotal role in supporting acute clinical care pathways. However, across hospital environments, pharmacies are often stretched by growing service demands and conflicted by increased medication and service costs. Ultimately, such factors contribute towards process inefficiencies that impact on the provision of healthcare services. Following a literature review, we examined clinical pharmacy services by undertaking three acute hospital pharmacy case studies. We adopted an ethnographic approach, observing and interviewing pharmacists, pharmacy staff and nurses. With a view to improving healthcare information systems (ISs), we identified the enablers and barriers in service efficiency, thus identifying opportunities for pharmacy IS implementation across acute hospital environments. The findings also reveal some of the key enablers and barriers towards the introduction of hospital IS innovation. We present recommendations to overcome such barriers.

The roles and perspectives of an informatics pharmacist practicing in the Australian healthcare setting: a qualitative study

“…Our findings reflect the role description issued by the American Society of Health‐Systems Pharmacists, which states that informatics encompasses “the use and integration of data, information, knowledge, technology, and automation in the medication‐use process for the purpose of improving health outcomes” 6 . Although studies evaluating the role of an informatics pharmacist are limited, there is sufficient evidence to support dedicated roles in this field 4 …”

“…There is emerging evidence for the clinical and economic impact of informatics pharmacists in the United States, where specialist informatics pharmacist roles are well established 2,3 . Funding for designated informatics roles was identified as a key challenge (Theme 6), a finding also identified as a barrier in an Irish study 4 . Health economics studies evaluating the benefits and cost effectiveness of an informatics pharmacist are needed to support business cases for additional resources.…”

“…6 Although studies evaluating the role of an informatics pharmacist are limited, there is sufficient evidence to support dedicated roles in this field. 4 The involvement of informatics pharmacists will accordingly enhance the value of health care, as explained in Theme 5: Impacts. Informatics pharmacists use their expertise to inform clinical decision-making, ensure safe digital systems and improve patient safety.…”

“…In Australia, informatics pharmacists are not yet part of routine services, despite their existence in other countries 3–6 . This means that the key roles of informatics pharmacists in Australian health care have not yet been fully defined.…”

“…In Australia, informatics pharmacists are not yet part of routine services, despite their existence in other countries. [3][4][5][6] This means that the key roles of informatics pharmacists in Australian health care have not yet been fully defined. While the roles of informatics pharmacists are still emerging, some suggested activities include overseeing the safe and effective use of hospitals' digital systems, particularly those related to medicine management 2,3,7 with multidisciplinary involvement.…”