Using Pharmacy technicians to obtain medication histories for emergency department care among older adults

Obtaining accurate medication histories for older adults in the emergency department (ED) is essential but challenging due to operational barriers and incomplete electronic health records (EHRs). We implemented a stakeholder-engaged intervention integrating pharmacy technicians (pharm techs) to obtain triage medication histories (T-MHs) for ED patients aged 65 years or older.

Starting in June 2023, pharm techs collected T-MHs from patients awaiting clinician evaluation. The intervention was developed using literature review, EHR data analysis, and focus groups with ED clinicians, pharm techs, and pharmacists. We identified key chief complaint-medication interactions and designed ED workflows for T-MH implementation.

Three high-impact chief complaint-medication interactions were identified: (1) trauma with anticoagulant use; (2) any complaint with recent medication changes or adherence concerns; and (3) any complaint while on antibiotics. We educated pharm techs about these chief complaint-medication interactions and asked them to notify ED clinicians about cases identified. T-MHs were obtained in 3,197 ED encounters (41.2%) before any medication order or disposition decision. Focus groups revealed that patients and their care partners generally agreed to participate in medication histories, but, contrary to expectations, efforts to date have had minimal impact on clinician awareness of prior-to-admission medications, prescribing decisions, and disposition decisions.

Integrating pharm techs to obtain medication histories in the ED is feasible and acceptable, but further efforts are needed to optimize workflow integration and handoff processes to improve clinical impact and patient safety.