Documenting Pharmacist Intervention: A Technology-Driven Solution to Overcome Challenges

Abstract

Clinical pharmacist conducts multiple activities governed by the best evidence for disease management and safe medication practices. The ASHP highlighted the importance of documenting and recording clinical pharmacy interventions to prevent adverse drug events and reduce hospital length of stay. Our institution utilizes an in-house electronic documentation system (e-DS) to document clinical interventions. We aim to study the impact of enhancing the e-DS. This study is a retrospective single-center descriptive review post-implementation of in-house e-DS enhancements. Data were collected between September 2017 and December 2019 for documented interventions by clinical pharmacists for admitted patients. Fields for analysis include clinical interventions, expected outcomes of interventions, cycle time for documentation, and drug cost. Outcomes measures include several documented interventions, preventing medication errors/adverse drug events, time-saving and cost avoidance. Descriptive analysis will be performed for categorical variables. The study showed an increased number of documented interventions for preventing medication errors/adverse drug events, time-saving, and cost avoidance, with an average time-saving of 20 minutes per 10 interventions and estimated cost avoidance of 20 000 SAR per month. Study limitations include a lack of interface with EHR and non-feasibility to estimate indirect cost. Investment in documentation system optimization to reduce medication errors/adverse drug events, time-saving and cost avoidance.