MON-118 PEXIP PILOT PHARMACY REVIEW – VIDEOHEALTH CONSULTS PUSHING PHARMACISTS INTO PATIENTS’ HOMES USING SMART TECHNOLOGY

Abstract

Home haemodialysis patients have their biochemistry reviewed by a multidisciplinary team monthly. Having accurate medication records are essential to maximise efficient patient care. Incorrect information can lead to inappropriate treatment plans and medication misadventure. Due to logistical constraints, home haemodialysis patients are often unable to be reviewed by a clinical pharmacist at the time of their medical appointment. One strategy to increase patient access to a clinical pharmacist was to trial using videohealth technology allowing pharmacists to remotely review the patient in their home. In collaboration with the home haemodialysis nursing staff, patients suitable for technology-assisted pharmacist review were identified using the following criteria:Greater than 6 months since last pharmacist review ORPharmacist would be unavailable at their upcoming outpatient appointment ORMedication issues were identified during monthly multidisciplinary team review ANDThe patient had access to an appropriate device (e.g. computer, laptop, tablet, smart phone) Identified patients were contacted by phone and invited to participate. Once the videohealth appointment was booked the patient was emailed instructions on how to download and use the required application, “Pexip”. 13 patients were identified as appropriate candidates for a pharmacist videohealth appointment. Of these, 11 patients could be contacted and 7 agreed to proceed. Videohealth consults were successfully completed for 4 patients and the remaining 3 were aborted and changed to phone reviews due to the patient experiencing technical difficulties. Of the 7 patients who agreed to a videohealth consult, 5 failed to log in at the scheduled time and had to be reminded via phone. Of the 4 successful videohealth reviews, 2 patients were able to show their medication in both original packets and dose administration aid, 1 was on dialysis and unable to access their medications and the final patient was at their workplace and did not have their medications with them. All 4 patients provided positive feedback that they would be willing to use videohealth again. Videohealth technology was successfully used to provide a pharmacist review to home haemodalysis patients who otherwise may not have been seen in a timely manner. All patients expressed satisfaction with the service. Advantages over a telephone consult include the ability to read non-verbal communication, see the patient’s own medication and the generation of activity based funding comparable to a face-to-face consult. The pilot has identified some issues including patient understanding, expectations and readiness for the consult. An administration officer support is vital as many patients required reminder phone calls prior to their scheduled appointment time. As staff and patient familiarity with videohealth technology improves, increased patient uptake will hopefully allow expansion of this service. The advantages to patients in terms of convenience and time saved could also be explored in the future.