Scope of Pharmacy Services to the Emergency Department

Abstract

Aim:To determine the scope of pharmacy services offered by Australian emergency medicine (EM) pharmacists, and to use the data to develop the SHPA Practice Standards for EM. Method: Qualitative data were obtained from a survey that was e-mailed to EM pharmacists and state-based quality use of medicine groups about the type and extent of pharmacy services to the emergency department (ED). Results: The survey was distributed to 22 hospitals known to have an EM pharmacist, with a response rate of 82% (18/22) and 92 hospitals via the quality use of medicine groups. No further EM pharmacists were identified via the quality use of medicine groups. The majority (94%) of EM pharmacists took medication histories on admission and 89% reported adverse drug reactions. 78% (14/18) regularly contacted community health professionals about patients admitted to the ED. 39% (7/18) had conducted ED-related research. Other services included: patient counselling, preventing medication-related problems on discharge, protocol development, provision of drug information, stock control, and staff and student education. Conclusion: Working in the ED is a relatively new professional activity for pharmacists. EM pharmacists are involved in the quality and safe use of medicines, by providing continuity of pharmaceutical care from community to the ED and to the wards with regards to medicines management, as well as a wide range of services to patients and staff in the ED. The survey responses were incorporated into the SHPA Practice Standards for EM. J Pharm Pract Res 2007; 37: 27-9. INTRODUCTIONLike the emergency physician, the emergency medicine (EM) pharmacist has to liaise with the community and a variety of specialist services from the hospital, on issues related to the pharmaceutical care of patients.

Pharmacy services to UK Emergency Departments: a descriptive study

“…These pharmacists work as a formal network to implement PGDs, co-ordinate antidote availability, facilitate good dispensing practice by non-pharmacy ED staff and audit medicines use [9]. Clinical pharmacy is an established component of ED services in Australia [10] with accepted standards of service and staffing [11] and is developing in the United States of America [12][13][14]. The benefits of clinical pharmacists on in-patient length of stay, cost, prescribing quality and readmissions have already been demonstrated [15][16][17] but further work is required to assess the impact and benefits of a clinical pharmacy service in an ED environment.…”

Emergency medicine pharmacy practice in Australia: a national survey

“…This cross‐sectional study on EM pharmacist staffing in Australia found 35 hospitals (62%) with a dedicated service, compared with 33 hospitals in 2010 and 22 hospitals in 2003, when the majority of services were part‐time. Increasing numbers of EM pharmacy services in most states and territories were identified, demonstrating the acceptance and increasing demand for EM pharmacists as a valuable addition to ED clinical services across Australia (Table ).…”

“…In Australia, EM clinical pharmacy practice has been evolving since the 1990s . Current services provided to EDs are likely to encompass traditional pharmacist roles of timely medication supply and review, medication reconciliation and identification of medication‐related problems, staff education and liaison with external healthcare providers .…”

“…Current services provided to EDs are likely to encompass traditional pharmacist roles of timely medication supply and review, medication reconciliation and identification of medication‐related problems, staff education and liaison with external healthcare providers . The 2003 workforce survey reviewing clinical activities of Australian EM pharmacists reported that only two of the 18 hospitals (11%) that responded to the survey had an EM pharmacist working full‐time in the ED . A subsequent 2011 survey identified 33 hospitals with an EM pharmacy service, with increasing numbers of pharmacists working more than 40 h/week (24%) and covering extended hours (26%)…”

Barcode technology and emergency medicine pharmacy

“…The emergency medicine pharmacist (EMP) represents a relatively new field of practice in many hospitals and EMPs often collect service and workload data to document activities and interventions, traditionally using a paper method or via pharmacy dispensing systems . Recently, intervention and activity statistics were reported using barcode technology after a 3‐month EMP service was implemented .…”