The Role of the Clinical Pharmacist in the Emergency Department

Summary

Before October 2017, pharmacists were not part of the emergency department (ED), but after successful lobbying, they were integrated, bringing numerous benefits. In this large tertiary hospital, having pharmacists in the ED significantly improved patient safety by identifying medication errors early and assisting with prescriptions. They also enhanced workflow by helping with medication reconciliation and contacting families and GPs to ensure safe medication administration. The program has led to a 54% reduction in medication discrepancies, ultimately improving patient care and reducing errors in the ED.

Takeaways

• 😀 Prior to October 2017, there were no pharmacists in the emergency department (ED).
• 😀 The implementation of the pharmacist program in the ED was a result of lobbying with managers and staff.
• 😀 Many other hospitals have pharmacists in their EDs, and the program offers significant benefits.
• 😀 The tertiary hospital recognized the need for pharmacists in the ED to improve patient safety and workflow.
• 😀 Previously, when a pharmacist was needed, they had to leave the floor, potentially creating safety risks for patients.
• 😀 Having pharmacists in the ED has greatly improved patient safety by catching medication errors early.
• 😀 Pharmacists assist with prescribing in the ED, ensuring that medications are accurate and safe for patients.
• 😀 Pharmacists also help with workflow by contacting families and GPs to confirm patient medications.
• 😀 One of the key initiatives in the ED is improving medication reconciliation rates.
• 😀 On average, 54% of medication histories pick up discrepancies, which has significantly reduced medication errors in the ED.

Q & A

What was the situation regarding pharmacists in the emergency department before October 2017?

Prior to October 2017, there were no pharmacists in the emergency department. The introduction of pharmacists into the ED was a significant change that was advocated by staff and managers.

Why was it important for the hospital to introduce pharmacists into the emergency department?

Introducing pharmacists into the ED was important because many other hospitals already had pharmacists in their EDs, and it made sense for this large tertiary hospital to adopt a similar approach to improve patient care and safety.

What challenges existed with the previous system in the emergency department?

With the previous system, pharmacists had to leave the floor to assist with medication-related tasks, leaving patients in the care of another nurse who was already looking after other patients, which created potential safety concerns.

How has having pharmacists in the emergency department benefited the hospital?

Pharmacists in the emergency department have significantly improved patient safety by identifying medication errors early and assisting with prescribing. They have also enhanced workflow and reduced workload by helping with communication with families and GPs to ensure appropriate medication management.

What role do pharmacists play in improving medication safety in the emergency department?

Pharmacists improve medication safety by identifying discrepancies in medication histories, preventing medication errors, and ensuring that patients receive the correct medications during their hospital stay.

How do pharmacists help with the workflow in the emergency department?

Pharmacists assist with the workflow by contacting families and GPs to determine which medications patients are taking, ensuring that patients continue receiving their prescribed medications while in the hospital.

What is the main initiative related to medication in the emergency department?

One of the key initiatives in the emergency department is to improve medication reconciliation rates, ensuring that medication histories are accurately collected and discrepancies are identified and addressed.

What percentage of medication histories in the emergency department typically have discrepancies?

On average, 54% of medication histories in the emergency department have discrepancies, highlighting the importance of the pharmacists' role in identifying and correcting these issues.

What impact has the inclusion of pharmacists in the emergency department had on medication errors?

The inclusion of pharmacists in the emergency department has significantly reduced the rates of medication errors by improving medication history accuracy and providing direct assistance with prescribing.

How does the presence of pharmacists in the emergency department contribute to overall patient safety?

Pharmacists contribute to overall patient safety by ensuring that medication errors are identified and corrected early, helping to maintain the proper medication regimen for patients, and supporting safe and effective treatment in the emergency department.