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Clinical pharmacy interventions by community pharmacists during the dispensing process
G M Hawksworth1, A J Corlett, D J Wright
1Old Bank Chemist, Old Bank Road, Mirfield WF14 0JA, UK.
British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology
|June 26, 1999
Summary
Community pharmacists made over 1500 interventions during dispensing, potentially preventing hospital admissions and improving patient care. These clinical pharmacy services highlight their valuable contribution to healthcare.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacy Practice
- Clinical Pharmacy
- Healthcare Interventions
Background:
- Professional collaboration between community pharmacists and general practitioners is crucial for patient care.
- Interactions during prescription dispensing often extend beyond simple clarifications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate pharmacist-general practitioner professional contact during dispensing.
- To assess interventions beyond prescription legality or clarification.
Main Methods:
- 14 community pharmacists recorded interventions over 1 year.
- Data included patient details, therapy, reason, outcome, and time.
- A clinical panel assessed intervention impact on patient management and hospital admission prevention.
Main Results:
- 1503 clinical pharmacy interventions were documented out of 201,000 dispensed items.
- Interventions varied in impact, with potential to prevent drug-related hospital admissions (0.01%-0.12%) and harm (0.04%-0.24%).
- Many interventions improved therapeutic plan efficacy and clinical outcomes, potentially reducing general practitioner visits.
Conclusions:
- Community pharmacy interventions during dispensing offer significant healthcare value.
- Pharmacist-practitioner collaboration enhances patient safety and treatment effectiveness.
- Clinical pharmacy services are a vital component of integrated healthcare delivery.