Integration of a clinical community pharmacist position: emphasis on workflow design

To design and implement a scope of practice for a clinical pharmacist position and assess the clinical and economic impact of a Diabetes Medication Management Program in a community pharmacy setting.

Independent community pharmacy in an urban area.

Standard dispensing and consultative services and durable medical equipment supplies and services were offered in the pharmacy. Approximately 260 prescriptions were dispensed per 10-hour workday.

Pharmacy workflow was redesigned with workstations in which each position was occupied at all times by pharmacy technicians or pharmacists. Clinical pharmacy interventions were delivered while normal dispensing processes continued.

A Clinical Community Pharmacist provided education and counseling to patients newly diagnosed with diabetes as well as services to patients with other chronic diseases.

During the first 6 months of the project, 221 clinical interventions were made; 16 patients with diabetes (who had received 67 of the interventions) were enrolled in a medication management program.

A Clinical Community Pharmacist in an urban setting can deliver clinical services during the normal dispensing process using an efficient workflow design.