Survey of small hospitals

Area of Science:

• Health Sciences
• Pharmacy Practice
• Healthcare Management

Background:

• The Canadian Society of Hospital Pharmacists (CSHP) Saskatchewan Branch identified a need to improve executive representation for hospitals outside major urban centers.
• A dedicated Small Hospital Representative was established to address the unique challenges and needs of these facilities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the current state of pharmacy practice in small hospitals in Saskatchewan.
• To identify areas of deficiency and opportunities for enhanced pharmacy services in these settings.
• To inform strategies for improving pharmaceutical care in hospitals outside Saskatoon and Regina.

Main Methods:

• A survey was developed and distributed to 128 small hospitals in Saskatchewan.
• A response rate of 70.3% (90 surveys completed) was achieved.
• Results were analyzed based on whether hospitals employed pharmacists or relied on external services.

Main Results:

• Hospitals with pharmacists reported deficiencies in drug distribution, medication profiles, and clinical pharmacy programs.
• Hospitals without pharmacists utilized services from larger hospitals or retail pharmacies.
• Eleven hospitals lacked any direct pharmacist access, with Directors of Nursing managing medication-related activities.

Conclusions:

• Significant gaps exist in pharmacy practice within small Saskatchewan hospitals, particularly in drug distribution and clinical services.
• The findings underscore the need for targeted interventions to improve pharmaceutical care access and quality in underserved areas.
• This study serves as a foundational step for collaborative efforts to enhance pharmacy practice across Saskatchewan's smaller healthcare facilities.