Amy Soubolsky1, Katelyn Halpape2. 1. , BSP, was, at the time of writing, a Pharmacist with the Saskatchewan Health Authority, North Battleford, Saskatchewan, and an MSc candidate in the College of Pharmacy and Nutrition, University of Saskatchewan (convocation November 2022). She is now an Information Support Pharmacist with RxFiles, College of Pharmacy and Nutrition, University of Saskatchewan. 2. , BSP, ACPR, PharmD, BCPP, is Assistant Professor with the College of Pharmacy and Nutrition, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
Abstract
Background: Clinical pharmacists have a significant role in optimizing pharmacotherapy for patients admitted to acute care settings. Patients with mental health disorders are especially vulnerable to polypharmacy, adverse drug effects, medication nonadherence, and misconceptions about medication use. The Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, currently lacks resources to provide optimal clinical pharmacy coverage for mental health inpatients. Objectives: To determine the optimal clinical role for a pharmacist providing specialized care to mental health inpatients and to evaluate the potential impact of the pharmacist on medication use and patient care. Methods: A pharmacist with 5 years of mental health-related pharmacy practice experience was temporarily assigned to the Mental Health Short Stay Unit as a practical component of a Master's program in pharmacy. Clinical activities to be completed by the pharmacist were defined on the basis of available evidence, existing performance and quality assurance indicators, and prior experience. The pharmacist's activities and recommendations during each shift were tracked and reported. Results: The pharmacist saw 94 patients over a total of 88 hours. The pharmacist made a total of 61 recommendations, of which 55 (90%) were accepted by the psychiatrist, and initiated 42 medication changes. Forty-one patients (44%) received a thorough medication assessment, and individualized, often specialized, education was provided to patients 39 times. The pharmacist was consulted by the psychiatrist 19 times. Conclusions: Pharmacists have an important role in medication management and patient education for psychiatric inpatients, and the health care team values pharmacists' unique expertise. Additional resources dedicated to defining and expanding clinical pharmacy services on inpatient psychiatry units could further optimize patient care. 2022 Canadian Society of Hospital Pharmacists. All content in the Canadian Journal of Hospital Pharmacy is copyrighted by the Canadian Society of Hospital Pharmacy. In submitting their manuscripts, the authors transfer, assign, and otherwise convey all copyright ownership to CSHP.
Background: Clinical pharmacists have a significant role in optimizing pharmacotherapy for patients admitted to acute care settings. Patients with mental health disorders are especially vulnerable to polypharmacy, adverse drug effects, medication nonadherence, and misconceptions about medication use. The Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, currently lacks resources to provide optimal clinical pharmacy coverage for mental health inpatients. Objectives: To determine the optimal clinical role for a pharmacist providing specialized care to mental health inpatients and to evaluate the potential impact of the pharmacist on medication use and patient care. Methods: A pharmacist with 5 years of mental health-related pharmacy practice experience was temporarily assigned to the Mental Health Short Stay Unit as a practical component of a Master's program in pharmacy. Clinical activities to be completed by the pharmacist were defined on the basis of available evidence, existing performance and quality assurance indicators, and prior experience. The pharmacist's activities and recommendations during each shift were tracked and reported. Results: The pharmacist saw 94 patients over a total of 88 hours. The pharmacist made a total of 61 recommendations, of which 55 (90%) were accepted by the psychiatrist, and initiated 42 medication changes. Forty-one patients (44%) received a thorough medication assessment, and individualized, often specialized, education was provided to patients 39 times. The pharmacist was consulted by the psychiatrist 19 times. Conclusions: Pharmacists have an important role in medication management and patient education for psychiatric inpatients, and the health care team values pharmacists' unique expertise. Additional resources dedicated to defining and expanding clinical pharmacy services on inpatient psychiatry units could further optimize patient care. 2022 Canadian Society of Hospital Pharmacists. All content in the Canadian Journal of Hospital Pharmacy is copyrighted by the Canadian Society of Hospital Pharmacy. In submitting their manuscripts, the authors transfer, assign, and otherwise convey all copyright ownership to CSHP.
Authors: Maria Rubio-Valera; Antoni Serrano-Blanco; Jesús Magdalena-Belío; Ana Fernández; Javier García-Campayo; Marian March Pujol; Yolanda López del Hoyo Journal: Ann Pharmacother Date: 2011-01-04 Impact factor: 3.154
Authors: David A Adler; Kathleen M Bungay; Ira B Wilson; Yu Pei; Stacey Supran; Emily Peckham; Diane J Cynn; William H Rogers Journal: Gen Hosp Psychiatry Date: 2004 May-Jun Impact factor: 3.238