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Multidimensional work sampling in an outpatient pharmacy
M D Murray1, M T Rupp, J M Overhage
1Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA.
Pharmacy Practice Management Quarterly
|September 5, 1995
Summary
Pharmacists primarily check prescriptions and correct errors, often working alone. This baseline study will assess how new technology impacts their patient and physician interactions.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacy Practice
- Health Services Research
Background:
- Understanding pharmacists' daily tasks is crucial for optimizing healthcare delivery.
- Baseline data are needed to evaluate the impact of technological and process changes in pharmacy settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish baseline measures of pharmacist activities in a hospital-based outpatient pharmacy.
- To prepare for evaluating the effects of computerized prospective drug utilization review and clinical treatment guidelines.
Main Methods:
- Multidimensional work sampling was employed over a 45-day period.
- Pharmacists used random-signal generators and 'quick codes' for efficient data collection.
- A total of 4,687 observations were recorded, with 90% utilizing quick codes.
Main Results:
- Prescription checking constituted the most frequent activity (36.2%).
- Detecting and correcting prescribing errors was the primary work focus (39.4%).
- Most activities (80%) were performed independently, with limited patient or physician contact.
Conclusions:
- Baseline data reveal that hospital outpatient pharmacists spend most time on prescription checking and error correction, often working autonomously.
- Future research will compare these findings to assess the impact of new technologies on pharmacist roles, aiming to increase patient education and physician consultation.