Physician-, nurse-, and pharmacist-conducted patient drug histories.

A study was conducted in a 99-bed community hospital to determine quantitative differences in medication histories of selected patients conducted by pharmacists, nurses, and physicians. The hospital pharmacist documented more frequent patient medication usage than the nurse or physician. This study reaffirms the results observed by other investigators. The pharmacist, extensively trained and educated in the use and action of medications, should be considered a valuable resource in the documentation of drug use prior to hospital admission.