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Updated: Jun 18, 2026
06:59
A Novel Approach for the Administration of Medications and Fluids in Emergency Scenarios and Settings
Published on: November 9, 2016
Pharmacy services to UK emergency departments: a descriptive study
Ursula Collignon1, C Alice Oborne, Andrzej Kostrzewski
1Pharmacy Department, St Thomas' Hospital, Westminster Bridge Road, London, SE1 7EH, UK. Ursula.collignon@gstt.nhs.uk
Pharmacy World & Science : PWS
|November 10, 2009
Summary
Hospital pharmacy services in United Kingdom Emergency Departments (EDs) vary, with pharmacists playing key roles. Pharmacy technicians can support drug history taking and stock management, enhancing patient care and NHS efficiency.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacy Practice
- Emergency Medicine
- Healthcare Services Research
Background:
- Hospital pharmacy services in United Kingdom Emergency Departments (EDs) are evolving.
- Current services and facilities vary significantly across different EDs.
- Understanding these variations is crucial for optimizing patient care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe current hospital pharmacy services and facilities in UK EDs.
- To identify potential roles for pharmacy technicians in the ED setting.
- To explore the benefits pharmacists can bring to ED patient care.
Main Methods:
- A descriptive study utilizing a voluntary, self-completed questionnaire.
- Data collected from pharmacists and technicians attending a UK Clinical Pharmacy Association (UKCPA) conference workshop in 2004.
- Responses analyzed from 31 out of 40 distributed questionnaires, representing 25 NHS hospitals.
Main Results:
- Most (72%) EDs received some level of pharmacy service, with significant variation in service models and skill mix.
- Pharmacists' current roles included guideline development, patient group directions, training, clinical advice, and drug history taking.
- Potential roles for pharmacy technicians included medication assessment, stock management, and drug storage; potential pharmacist benefits included medicine rationalization and ADR identification.
Conclusions:
- Pharmacy services in UK EDs have developed, often mirroring in-patient roles.
- While some EDs have extensive pharmacy services, a review is needed to optimize care where input is limited.
- New pharmacy services should align with local ED models and skill mix, with evaluation vital for maximizing patient and NHS benefits.
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