Clinical and economic impact of the pharmacy resident incorporation into the healthcare team

• Published in: Farmacia hospitalaria 2006-09, Vol.30 (5), p.284-290
• Main Authors: Arroyo Conde, C, Aquerreta, I, Ortega Eslava, A, Goñi Zamarbide, O, Giráldez Deiró, J
• Format: Article
• Language: Spanish
• Subjects: Hospitals, Teaching - economics; Hospitals, Teaching - methods; Hospitals, Teaching - statistics & numerical data; Humans; Internship and Residency; Medication Errors - prevention & control; Patient Care Team; Pharmacists; Pharmacy Service, Hospital - economics; Pharmacy Service, Hospital - methods; Pharmacy Service, Hospital - statistics & numerical data; Professional Role
• ISSN: 1130-6343

To quantify the impact of the incorporation of a hospital pharmacy resident into a healthcare team. To describe the work schedule followed. The resident was integrated for 8 months in Medical Oncology, Intensive Care Unit, and Oncology Day Hospital. Interventions were recorded and evaluated using Atefarm software. Problem characteristics, type, and severity were recorded, as were acceptance, and costs avoided by interventions. In all, 2,415 drug-related problems were detected (10 per day, and 3.6 per patient), and 2,545 interventions for 672 patients were carried out. Most common problems were inadequate treatment duration, and conversion to oral route. Sixty-one percent of errors were prevented. Sixty-five percent of interventions influenced safety, 35% efficiency, and 25% effectiveness. Ninety-four percent of interventions were accepted. Costs avoided by the pharmacist amounted to 3,133 euro per month. The integration of a pharmacist in the healthcare teams optimizes therapy, reduces costs, prevents adverse events, and offers healthcare education.