PSQ2 – Teamwork in the hospital – Building relationships to optimise pharmacotherapy

Linked to EAHP Statements

Section 4 – Clinical Pharmacy Services: Statements 4.1, 4.2
Section 5 – Patient Safety and Quality Assurance: Statement 5.1

ACPE UAN: 0475-0000-22-013-L04-P. A knowledge-based activity.

Abstract

Building relationships in the hospital is not something that can be checked off a to-do list, but it should always have a place among our top priorities because it affects everything we do personally and professionally. Good relationships can create an effective teamwork.

Teamwork among the members of hospital can result in better patient care, if everyone remembers that the main goal is the same: optimizing the use of medicines. Optimising the use of medicines in hospitals is central to the delivery of high-quality patient care. This process can be defined as prescribing the right drug in sufficient dose for the adequate duration and suitable to the clinical requirements of the patients at lowest cost. Managing medicines safely, effectively and efficiently is central to the delivery of high-quality care that is focused on the patient and gives value for money. Optimal pharmacotherapy saves lives, confines undesired toxicity, adverse events and maximize on the benefits that can be imitative from best use of medications.

In delivering health care, an effective teamwork can immediately and positively affect patient safety and outcome. The need for effective teams is increasing due to increasing co-morbidities and increasing complexity of specialization of care.

Communication and collaboration between professionals are essential to the enhancement of rational use of medicines. It is essential to establish collaboration of physicians and pharmacists concerning accurate and competent drugs use and prescribing. Studies examining prescribing advice given by clinical/hospital pharmacists have shown high rates of acceptance from medical staff, demonstrating that the role is both valued and effective.

Learning objectives
After the session, participants should be able to:

• Describe how to build relationships in the team and an effective teamwork
• List examples of teamwork in rational use of medicines
• Describe practice examples concerning accurate and competent use of medicines in the hospital

Educational need addressed
This seminar addresses the skills needed by clinical/hospital pharmacists and physicians as well, to build good relationships among team members, to collaborate with colleagues and manage the rational use of medicines.    

Keywords: Optimal pharmacotherapy, use of medicines, inappropriate prescribing, multimorbidity, polypharmacy, teamwork, communication, effective team, building relationships.