Impact of pharmacist interventions on cost avoidance in an ambulatory cancer center

Abstract

Objective To provide a foundation to justify the presence of a full-time clinical pharmacist in the ambulatory cancer center in addition to an existing centralized pharmacist through cost avoidance calculation and patient and staff satisfaction surveys. Methods The prospective, pilot study took place in an ambulatory cancer center over four weeks in 2014. Cost avoidance values were assigned to interventions performed by a pharmacy resident, who was present in the ambulatory cancer center during clinic hours, along with a centralized oncology pharmacist routinely working with the cancer center. Anonymous patient and staff satisfaction surveys based on a 5-point Likert scale were distributed to assess the perceived benefit of a pharmacist located in the ambulatory cancer center. Results Data collection took place over approximately one month. After evaluation of 962 interventions from both pharmacists, the estimated cost avoidance was US$282,741 per pharmacist per year, yielding a net benefit of US$138,441. The most common interventions made by the resident included chemotherapy regimen review (n = 290, 69%) and patient counseling (n = 102, 24%), while the majority of the centralized pharmacist's interventions was chemotherapy regimen review (n = 525, 97%). Results from the anonymous patient and staff surveys revealed an overall positive perception of the pharmacy resident while in the ambulatory cancer center. Conclusion A full-time clinical pharmacist in an ambulatory cancer center is both financially beneficial and positively perceived by patients and staff.

The Hematopoietic Cell Transplant Pharmacist: Roles, Responsibilities, and Recommendations from the ASBMT Pharmacy Special Interest Group

“…Such cost avoidance strategies have also been successfully implemented in hematology/oncology practices. Randolph et al [54] evaluated the financial impact of the incorporation of pharmacists into a chemotherapy treatment center. Interventions and the time spent per intervention made by the pharmacists were tracked and linked to a previously benchmarked cost avoidance value.…”

“…Interventions and the time spent per intervention made by the pharmacists were tracked and linked to a previously benchmarked cost avoidance value. Pharmacists' activities resulted in 962 interventions that translated into an estimated cost avoidance of $282,741 per pharmacist per year [54]. Similarly, Wong et al [41] reported preliminary outcomes from a pilot service of comprehensive oral chemotherapy management.…”

From Pilot to Scale, the 5 Year Growth of a Primary Care Pharmacist Model

“…In addition, studies have shown that other medical professions are supportive of pharmacists in primary care settings. In a Likert survey (scale of 1–5) given to physicians and nurses who work with clinical pharmacists at an ambulatory cancer center, the response was overwhelmingly positive with median scores of 5 on questions such as the pharmacist had a positive impact and improved outcomes, the pharmacist allowed the clinic to run more efficiently, and a full time pharmacist in clinic would be valuable [ 10 ]. Throughout the country, health systems have implemented models that allow pharmacists to order laboratory tests, initiate or modify medications and educate patients with the goal of improving the quality of care that patients receive [ 8 ].…”

Impact of pharmacist counseling on reducing instances of adverse events that can affect the quality of life of chemotherapy outpatients with breast Cancer

“…Numerous pharmacist intervention assessments have been performed on outpatients regarding various diseases, including cancer chemotherapy studies involving pharmacists have investigated the proper use of oral anti-cancer agents [ 9 ], cost improvement through the proper use of antiemetic agents [ 10 , 11 ], cost avoidance through regimen reviews and patient counseling [ 12 ], pharmaceutical care as a means of reducing the psychological burden on patients [ 13 ], reductions in the occurrence of adverse events because of prescription proposals from pharmacists [ 14 ], and the key role of disease management and supportive-care management [ 15 ]. And numerous QOL assessments have been performed regarding breast cancer.…”