Multicentered Evaluation of Palliative Care Pharmacists' Interventions and Outcomes in California

The palliative care (PC) pharmacist's role within PC teams is increasingly recognized with favorable outcomes being reported. Retrospective study evaluated hospitalized adults seen by PC pharmacists, as part of PC consultation team at three California institutions. The primary objective was to categorize pharmacists' interventions. Secondary end points included length from admission to PC pharmacist involvement and symptom improvement following pharmacist intervention. Data were collected for a total of 557 patients. Over the study period, the PC pharmacists provided 1466 medication recommendations and 2545 nonsymptom-based interventions. Average length of stay (LOS) was 15.6 days with mean time to PC service referral of 3.6 days. PC pharmacist consult occurred after a mean of 4.3 days after PC team consulted. LOS was significantly lower if seen by PC pharmacist within 72 hours of PC consultation, 12.3 days versus 24.5 days (p < 0.001), as well as when serving as lead clinician 9.3 days versus 15.5 days (p < 0.001). Achievement of severity goal was significantly higher at 24 and 72 hours assessment periods when received a medication recommendation for pain, dyspnea, anxiety, and constipation. PC pharmacists provide substantial transdisciplinary interventions. Significantly decreased LOS was found when PC pharmacist was involved within 72 hours of initial PC consultation and when served as lead clinician. Improved symptom goal attainment was demonstrated for pain, dyspnea, anxiety, and constipation. In summary, integration of a PC pharmacist on a PC team can be relied upon to provide patient-centered, transdisciplinary care and enhance symptom management.