BACKGROUND: Several studies have demonstrated that 25-40% of Accident & Emergency department attendances are for conditions that could be managed by the patient's general practitioner. The number of these who could be appropriately managed by a community pharmacist, has not previously been established. OBJECTIVE: To establish the frequency with which patients attend an inner city A&E department with problems that could be managed by a community pharmacist. METHODS: A cross-sectional, retrospective review of A&E records for adult patients (>16 years) was conducted during the first two weeks of March 1999. Application of recognised criteria identified patients whose conditions were suitable for treatment by a pharmacist. Associated patient characteristics were investigated. RESULTS: During the study period 2636 adult patients attended the A&E department. Pharmacist management was considered appropriate in 8% of adult attendances (95% CI 6.8-8.9). The most commonly presented symptoms considered appropriate for pharmacist treatment included those of upper respiratory, gastrointestinal and pain conditions and reflect those previously identified in the literature. CONCLUSIONS: A pharmacist could manage an estimated 8% of adult attendances at this A&E department. Efforts should be made to increase the awareness of the general public of the role of a community pharmacist to reduce demand on A&E and GP services.
BACKGROUND: Several studies have demonstrated that 25-40% of Accident & Emergency department attendances are for conditions that could be managed by the patient's general practitioner. The number of these who could be appropriately managed by a community pharmacist, has not previously been established. OBJECTIVE: To establish the frequency with which patients attend an inner city A&E department with problems that could be managed by a community pharmacist. METHODS: A cross-sectional, retrospective review of A&E records for adult patients (>16 years) was conducted during the first two weeks of March 1999. Application of recognised criteria identified patients whose conditions were suitable for treatment by a pharmacist. Associated patient characteristics were investigated. RESULTS: During the study period 2636 adult patients attended the A&E department. Pharmacist management was considered appropriate in 8% of adult attendances (95% CI 6.8-8.9). The most commonly presented symptoms considered appropriate for pharmacist treatment included those of upper respiratory, gastrointestinal and pain conditions and reflect those previously identified in the literature. CONCLUSIONS: A pharmacist could manage an estimated 8% of adult attendances at this A&E department. Efforts should be made to increase the awareness of the general public of the role of a community pharmacist to reduce demand on A&E and GP services.
Authors: Sarah Dineen-Griffin; Constanza Vargas; Kylie A Williams; Shalom I Benrimoj; Victoria Garcia-Cardenas Journal: Cost Eff Resour Alloc Date: 2020-07-28
Authors: Vibhu Paudyal; Margaret C Watson; Tracey Sach; Terry Porteous; Christine M Bond; David J Wright; Jennifer Cleland; Garry Barton; Richard Holland Journal: Br J Gen Pract Date: 2013-07 Impact factor: 5.386
Authors: David J Wright; Richard J Adams; Jeanette Blacklock; Sarah A Corlett; Rebecca Harmston; Margaret McWilliams; Stephen-Andrew Whyte; Gail Fleming Journal: Integr Pharm Res Pract Date: 2018-07-25