Pharmaceutical services in nursing homes in Spain.

Area of Science:

• Health Services Research
• Pharmaceutical Care
• Geriatric Pharmacy

Background:

• Specialized pharmaceutical services in nursing homes are increasingly important for elderly care.
• Variability in service provision impacts the quality of care delivered to nursing home residents.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the current provision of specialized pharmaceutical services in Spanish nursing homes.
• To reflect on the activities, care, and services offered from a healthcare perspective.

Main Methods:

• An observational, cross-sectional, multicenter study was conducted.
• A survey was distributed to Hospital Pharmacy Units across Spain (February-June 2018).
• Data were analyzed descriptively following piloting and assessment by experts.

Main Results:

• A 29.7% response rate was achieved, with 46.0% of hospital pharmacy units serving nursing homes.
• Services varied, with partial pharmacist dedication common; however, many units performed integral therapy management and prescription validation.
• Significant participation was noted in pharmacy and therapeutic committees, medical device selection, and medication safety programs.

Conclusions:

• Specialized pharmaceutical care in nursing homes is established but shows considerable variation.
• Further development of care models and increased pharmacy service involvement are needed for comprehensive, person-centered care.