ASHP national survey of pharmacy practice in acute care settings--1996

The results of the 1996 ASHP national survey of pharmaceutical services in nonfederal community hospitals are presented and compared with the findings of the 1994 ASHP survey. A questionnaire was mailed to pharmacy directors at hospitals randomly sampled from those registered by the American Hospital Association. A total of 713 usable surveys were returned, for a net response rate of 37.1%. Inpatient pharmaceutical services were provided an average of 17.4 hours per weekday and ambulatory care pharmaceutical services 13.3 hours per weekday. Pharmacy directors were more likely to have duties beyond the department than in 1994 (24% versus 12%). The percentage reporting a patient-focused-care model increased from 18% in 1994 to 33% in 1996. The percentage reporting some automation of drug distribution increased from 55% in 1994 to 65% in 1996. Provision of ambulatory care pharmaceutical services was indicated by 63% of respondents, and 35% indicated providing home infusion services. Compared with 1994, pharmacy departments provided more clinical services to inpatients. The most commonly offered clinical pharmacy services for inpatients were drug-food interaction screening, drug-use evaluations, adverse-drug-reaction programs, and medication error management programs. The percentage providing pharmaceutical care to some extent increased from 44% to 60%. The percentage reporting that pharmacists had the authority to initiate or modify medication orders increased from 35% to 56%. A well-controlled formulary system was in place at 60% of hospitals, while 39% reported restrictions on prescribing. Nearly three fourths of respondents reported a therapeutic interchange policy. Mean inventory cost per patient day was $4.67, a decrease from $5.62 in 1994. About 68% of inpatient pharmacy expenditures went for drugs and fluids, 27% for staff, and 5% for other noncapital expenditures. The 1996 ASHP survey revealed continued growth in various activities related to patient care, such as implementation of patient-focused care, enhanced clinical services, and therapy management programs. Although the provision of pharmaceutical care increased, ample room for growth remains.