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Comprehensive clinical pharmacy documentation in an out-patient cancer facility
N M Davies1, J R Spaven, C R Chambers
1Tom Baker Cancer Centre, Calgary, Alberta.
The Canadian Journal of Hospital Pharmacy
|June 1, 1992
Summary
Clinical pharmacists significantly improve patient outcomes through interventions in oncology. Documenting these activities revealed that pharmacist-initiated drug therapy recommendations prevented serious adverse events in over a third of cases.
Area of Science:
- Oncology Pharmacy Practice
- Patient Safety
- Drug Therapy Management
Background:
- Clinical pharmacy activities are crucial for patient outcomes.
- Standardizing pharmaceutical care in oncology settings is essential.
- Effective documentation methods are needed to analyze clinical pharmacy impact.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe a documentation method for analyzing clinical pharmacy activities.
- To standardize pharmaceutical care in an outpatient oncology setting.
- To evaluate the impact of pharmacist-initiated interventions.
Main Methods:
- Developed and formalized policies for clinical pharmacy activities.
- Documented consultations, drug information questions, and pharmacist-initiated interventions daily.
- Recorded all medication counseling sessions.
Main Results:
- A total of 1828 activities were recorded over 12 months.
- Pharmacist-initiated interventions comprised 18.8% (343) of activities.
- Physicians accepted 85.4% of recommendations, avoiding serious negative outcomes in 36.4% of cases.
Conclusions:
- A simple documentation method can effectively analyze clinical pharmacy activities.
- Pharmacist interventions are vital for improving patient safety in oncology.
- Standardized pharmaceutical care enhances the impact of clinical pharmacy services.