BACKGROUND: We investigated how a clinical pharmacist can contribute to quality assurance of the use of drugs for inpatients in a respiratory ward. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Up to twice a week over two periods (43 meetings, 31 in the first and 12 in the second period), a clinical pharmacist sat in on the morning meetings regarding patients. Various drug-related problems were identified and discussed. RESULTS: The clinical pharmacist took part in discussions of 232 (70%) of a total of 332 patients. On average, 0.71 drug-related problems per patient resulting in a prescription change were identified. This included 239 drug-related problems: lack of use of drugs (25), unnecessary use (18) or wrong use (1); too low dose (16), too high dose (30); adverse effects (29); compliance (10) and miscellaneous problems (110). The average number of prescription changes suggested by the clinical pharmacist went down from 0.81 per patient in the first period to 0.57 in the second (p < 0.001). INTERPRETATION: We conclude that many drug-related problems were identified and the quality of drug use was improved by including a clinical pharmacist in the medical team.
BACKGROUND: We investigated how a clinical pharmacist can contribute to quality assurance of the use of drugs for inpatients in a respiratory ward. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Up to twice a week over two periods (43 meetings, 31 in the first and 12 in the second period), a clinical pharmacist sat in on the morning meetings regarding patients. Various drug-related problems were identified and discussed. RESULTS: The clinical pharmacist took part in discussions of 232 (70%) of a total of 332 patients. On average, 0.71 drug-related problems per patient resulting in a prescription change were identified. This included 239 drug-related problems: lack of use of drugs (25), unnecessary use (18) or wrong use (1); too low dose (16), too high dose (30); adverse effects (29); compliance (10) and miscellaneous problems (110). The average number of prescription changes suggested by the clinical pharmacist went down from 0.81 per patient in the first period to 0.57 in the second (p < 0.001). INTERPRETATION: We conclude that many drug-related problems were identified and the quality of drug use was improved by including a clinical pharmacist in the medical team.