Implementation and evaluation of a team-based pharmacy practice model in a community health system

The development and implementation of a team-based pharmacy practice model is described.

In January 2016 a transition from a staff-specialist to a team-based pharmacy practice model was implemented. The overall goal of the model change was to enhance the pharmacist's clinical roles and further integrate pharmacists into the healthcare team. Before implementation of the new staffing model, a formalized metric evaluation process was created. The aim of this metric evaluation was to gauge model success, determine areas of model revision, and objectively communicate pharmacist impact. Objective metrics were evaluated before implementation and 1 year after implementation. In addition, surveys were distributed to pharmacists, physicians, nursing and hospital administration before and after model implementation.

At 1-year postimplementation, the pharmacist:patient bed ratio decreased from 1:87 to 1:47, the number of rounds/huddles with pharmacist attendance increased by 63% to 80 per week, and the number of clinical interventions and new clinical consultations increased from 57 to 62 and from 12 to 16 per day, respectively. Nonformulary medication use also decreased from 1.77 to 0.623 per 1000 patient days, and compliance with therapeutic initiatives increased from 77%to 91%. Overall, 72% of pharmacist survey responses indicated satisfaction with the model change.

A team-based pharmacy practice model was designed and successfully implemented over a 3-year period. Data analysis revealed improvements in clinical and operational endpoints and enhanced pharmacist, physician, and nursing satisfaction.