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Survey of Implementation Levels and Pharmacy Requirements for the Continuum of Quality Use of Medicines between Hospital and Community
Author(s) -
O'Leary Karen M,
Allinson Yvonne M,
Stowasser Danielle A,
Dowling Helen
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
journal of pharmacy practice and research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.222
H-Index - 22
eISSN - 2055-2335
pISSN - 1445-937X
DOI - 10.1002/jppr200333293
Subject(s) - medicine , pharmacy , hospital pharmacy , family medicine , clinical pharmacy , health care , quality (philosophy) , pharmaceutical care , medical emergency , nursing , philosophy , epistemology , economics , economic growth
Aim: To investigate the hospital pharmacy resources required and other associated implications of implementing the National Guidelines to Achieve the Continuum of Quality Use of Medicines between Hospital and Community, prepared by the Australian Pharmaceutical Advisory Council. Method: An electronic questionnaire was sent to 248 hospital pharmacy services across Australia. One section was devoted to the implementation of the guidelines for overnight admi ssions. Respondents were asked to indicate the level of compliance with each of the seven principles of the guidelines and to estimate the number of pharmacists and pharmacy support staff that would be required to fully meet the guidelines at their hospital. Results: Responses were received from 101 hospital pharmacy services. The involvement of hospital pharmacists in meeting the principles varied. Only three respondents indicated that their hospital fully met all seven principles of the guidelines for the majority of overnight admissions. Respondents indicated that transfer of information on medication usage is of limited benefit unless the information is complete, accurate, provided within a reasonable or necessary time, and provided between the appropriate healthcare professionals who were responsible for each patient's care. They also highlighted differences in the service level currently delivered to various patient groups: elective and non‐elective patients, patients admitted and discharged during normal business hours and those outside these hours, and patients perceived as ‘high risk’. Based on respondents' estimates, 867 pharmacists and 512 pharmacy support staff full‐time‐equivalent positions would be required to fully meet the guidelines for overnight admissions in these 101 hospitals. Conclusion: This study indicates that the guidelines are only partially implemented in Australian hospitals. A substantial increase in the number of pharmacists, support staff, and funding would be required for the hospital pharmacy service component to adequately support hospitals' implementation of the guidelines.