Scope of Pharmacy Services to the Emergency Department

Abstract

ABSTRACTAimTo determine the scope of pharmacy services offered by Australian emergency medicine (EM) pharmacists, and to use the data to develop the SHPA Practice Standards for EM.MethodQualitative data were obtained from a survey that was e‐mailed to EM pharmacists and state‐based quality use of medicine groups about the type and extent of pharmacy services to the emergency department (ED).ResultsThe survey was distributed to 22 hospitals known to have an EM pharmacist, with a response rate of 82% (18/22) and 92 hospitals via the quality use of medicine groups. No further EM pharmacists were identified via the quality use of medicine groups. The majority (94%) of EM pharmacists took medication histories on admission and 89% reported adverse drug reactions. 78% (14/18) regularly contacted community health professionals about patients admitted to the ED. 39% (7/18) had conducted ED‐related research. Other services included: patient counselling, preventing medication‐related problems on discharge, protocol development, provision of drug information, stock control, and staff and student education.ConclusionWorking in the ED is a relatively new professional activity for pharmacists. EM pharmacists are involved in the quality and safe use of medicines, by providing continuity of pharmaceutical care from community to the ED and to the wards with regards to medicines management, as well as a wide range of services to patients and staff in the ED. The survey responses were incorporated into the SHPA Practice Standards for EM.