1998 national clinical pharmacy services study

This study determined the extent of hospital-based clinical pharmacy services in 950 United States acute care, general, medical-surgical, and pediatric hospitals with 50 or more licensed beds in 1998 and compared results with data from similar national surveys in 1989, 1992, and 1995. Fifteen clinical pharmacy services were assessed to determine pharmacists' specific patient care responsibilities. Two services increased substantially over both the 9-year period and between 1995 and 1998: drug therapy protocol management and clinical pharmacokinetics consultations, which were offered in 70% and 80% of hospitals in 1998, respectively. Pharmacists' provision of in-service programs decreased 6% between 1995 and 1998, whereas other services remained constant. Pharmacists conducted clinical research in 14% of hospitals in 1998, averaging 7.2 +/- 19.7 protocols/department annually; total budget was $224,572 +/- 753,321; and mean clinical research funding increased 2.3-fold between 1995 and 1998. Clinical pharmacy services continue to expand, with pharmacists providing higher-level direct patient care related to drug therapy management and pharmacokinetics consultations.