Implementing a Pharmacist Charting Service in the PreAdmission Clinic

Abstract

ABSTRACTAimTo implement a pharmacist charting service in the preadmission clinic (PAC) and describe a preparatory process for the initiation of this service.MethodStage 1: a proposal for a pharmacist charting service in the PA C was devised via an iterative process with an advisory panel. Stage 2: feedback on the proposal was obtained from key staff via a survey comprising 15 linear scale statements (0 = strongly disagree to 10 = strongly agree) and open–ended questions. Stage 3: baseline data were collected on existing PAC service outcomes, e.g. consultation times, accuracy of medication charts.ResultsStage 1: a service protocol was developed following positive feedback. Stage 2: most staff strongly agreed that a pharmacist charting service would improve the efficiency and workflow in the PAC (median 8; n = 19) and that PAC pharmacists were competent and skilled to chart medications (median 9). Pharmacists perceived that the proposed service would increase their workload (median 10), consultation times (median 9) and medicolegal responsibilities (median 7) while the opposite was reported by the doctors (median 2, 2, and 3, respectively). Stage 3: mean baseline consultation times for pharmacists and doctors were 18.6 and 25 minutes, respectively. Most (95%) of the 56 analysed medication charts were incomplete (at least 1 piece of information missing) while 41% had at least one or more inaccuracies.ConclusionThere are benefits of a pharmacist charting service. This is the first step toward exploring models for pharmacist prescribing.