EAHP represents over 30,000 hospital pharmacists across 37 member countries. EAHP represents and develops the hospital pharmacy profession within Europe in order to ensure the continuous improvement of care and outcomes for patients in the hospital setting. This is achieved through science, research, education, practice, as well as sharing best-practice and responsibility with other healthcare professional
The EAHP Board, elected for three-year terms, oversees the association’s activities. Comprising directors responsible for core functions, it meets regularly to implement strategic goals. Supported by EAHP staff, the Board controls finances, coordinates congress organization, and ensures compliance with statutes and codes of conduct.
The EAHP staff supports the Board in executing EAHP’s mission. The Staff assists in financial management, events organisations, policy activities and all EAHP projects. The EAHP staff works closely with EAHP’s members and ensures the effective communication all relevant stakeholders.
The first member countries were Belgium, Britain, Denmark, France, the Federal Republic, Germany, Italy and The Netherlands in 1972. EAHP has now 36 EAHP members and 2 Associate Members. EAHP is open to countries members of the Council of Europe and since 2022 to organisations representing the interests of hospital pharmacists from outside the Council of Europe (Associate Membership)
EAHP’s structure is also composed by different standing committes: EAHP Scientific Committee, EAHP Education Executive Committee and the EAHP CTF Steering Committee.
At EAHP, we are committed to transparency in our governance, ethical standards, and funding practices. This section provides open access to our foundational documents, including the EAHP Statutes, Code of Conduct, and Funding Sources. By sharing these resources, we aim to uphold accountability and foster trust with our members, partners, and the public.
Keep up with all EAHP’s events and webinars. Contact the team at info@eahp.eu should you have any questions about upcoming events or activities.
Here you can find all upcoming events organised by EAHP and by all its members and associate members. Do not hesitate to contact the events team at events@eahp.eu should you have any questions about the organisation of these events.
Hospital pharmacists conduct a critical role in the care of patients in hospitals. Learn more about what they do here and in all the pages under Hospital Pharmacy practice and Policy.
Self-Assessment
SILCC
Closed SIGs
EAHP brings together experts from many areas of hospital pharmacy practice providing and highlighting good local sustainable practices as that can be up-scaled and shared with other countries. The EAHP Working Group on Sustainability has the aim of reducing the environmental burden of the hospital pharmacy services.
The European Association of Hospital Pharmacists (EAHP), and its 36 member country platforms are creating a Common Training Framework for the hospital pharmacy education in Europe. The goal of this project is to allow the free movement of hospital pharmacists within the European Union.
The European Association of Hospital Pharmacists (EAHP) and the European Society of Clinical Pharmacy (ESCP) have collaboratively developed the Oath to Society. The Oath to Society is all encompassing and acts as a contract for excellence in providing compassionate patient care, working as part of the healthcare team and advancing the pharmacy profession, and showcasing how clinical and hospital pharmacists work every day
A day created to highlight the importance and to celebrate the work done by hospital pharmacies. This day celebrates all hospital pharmacy teams.
The Early Career Network aims to empower early-career pharmacists by sharing opportunities, insights, and success stories from across 25 member countries.
Together, we’re building a stronger, more connected hospital pharmacy community: one story, one country, one pharmacist at a time.
Catch up with EAHP’s press releases
Find all EAHP relevant publication like the EAHP Surveys, annual reports and the history books.
The European Journal of Hospital Pharmacy (EJHP) is the only official journal of the European Association of Hospital Pharmacists (EAHP) and is committed to advancing the science, practice and profession of hospital pharmacy. As the premier communication platform for hospital pharmacists worldwide, EJHP is a major source for continuing education as well as updates on advances in the practice and standard of pharmaceutical care for patients.
When EAHP and Hospital pharmacists appear in the news.
EAHP publishes a monthly EU monitor with updates about the latest EAHP initiatives and information relevant for the hospital pharmacy profession.
The Sponsor Channel is designed to maximise visibility and engagement, allowing sponsors to connect with the hospital pharmacy community and partners in a dynamic and interactive environment. From product demonstrations to networking sessions, the Sponsor Channel offers a range of opportunities for sponsors to showcase their offerings and generate leads in the new EAHP Website.
Selection, Procurement and Distribution
Susanne Weng Rømer, Hospital Pharmacy North Denmark Region, Aalborg, Denmark
Alissa Maria Kloppenburg, Hospital Pharmacy Funen, OUH, Svendborg, Denmark
Tania Truelshøj, Hospital Pharmacy Central Denmark Region, Aarhus, Denmark
Benene Rguez, Capital Region Pharmacy, Copenhagen, Denmark
Sine Thagaard Wermuth, Region Zealand Hospital Pharmacy, Roskilde, Denmark
Karen Suhr Lausten, Amgros I/S, Copenhagen, Denmark
Katrine Fridthjof Hougaard, Amgros I/S, Copenhagen, Denmark
Mikala Vasehus Holck, Amgros I/S, Copenhagen, Denmark
Thomas Loof Hedegård, Amgros I/S, Copenhagen, Denmark
Amgros conducts national tenders for medicines on behalf of Hospital Pharmacies in Denmark. The tenders often result in medicine changes. Previously, each of the eight Danish Hospital Pharmacies assessed every change individually. A national study showed this was time-consuming, duplicative, and produced variable quality. A more coordinated process was needed. The project aimed to centralize the workflows to ensure systematic identification of relevant differences while using fewer resources and supporting safe medicine changes. The Focus List was implemented in August 2025.
A national decision support tool – the Focus List for Medicine Changes – was developed to make medicine changes following tenders easier, safer, and more efficient for Danish Hospital Pharmacies. By comparing Summaries of Product Characteristics (SPCs), the Focus List provides a structured overview of clinically relevant differences requiring attention during consumption estimation and clinical implementation.
By centralizing and standardizing assessments, the Focus List improves efficiency by reducing duplication of work, saving resources, and ensuring consistent quality. Ultimately, it supports patient safety by ensuring that potential clinical consequences are identified and addressed proactively.
A working group with representatives from Hospital Pharmacies and Amgros collected experiences and mapped existing workflows. Key parameters for comparison, such as storage conditions, therapeutic indications, and unwanted excipients, were identified. These formed the basis of the Focus List, which systematically presents relevant differences between outgoing and incoming tendered medicines. The Focus List was tested and validated by Hospital Pharmacy staff across all regions, supported by templates and guidance documents to ensure consistent use.
The Focus List was well received. Hospital pharmacies reported expected time savings, improved support for estimation processes, and higher quality consistency in identifying clinically relevant changes. The Focus List, including 273 medicine switches, was implemented and replaced the decentralized approach with a more streamlined national workflow.
A formal evaluation will follow once more experience has been gathered. Future work aims to automate SPC comparisons using AI and expand the Focus List to cover all tender-related changes. This initiative could be replicated in other settings through cross-functional collaboration.
Clinical Pharmacy Services
Gilak G., Lakatos-Krepcik A., Breyer-Kohansal R., Sailer G.
In Austria, people with Cystic Fibrosis (CF) receive interdisciplinary care from various professional groups at specialized treatment centers. The European Cystic Fibrosis Society recommends the integration of pharmacists into the multidisciplinary CF team, emphasizing medication management, patient education, and adherence support. Increased access to CF transmembrane conductance regulator modulator therapies in recent years has conferred significant benefits to patients in multiple ways. However, these highly effective drugs are known to have a high potential for drug–drug interactions.
The current medication of adult patients was reviewed by a clinical pharmacist. Individualized medication counselling, education, and specialized support in cases of drug shortages were provided to patients. To evaluate the quality of the pharmaceutical consultation and the benefits derived from it, patients were invited to complete an anonymous questionnaire.
During their visit to our specialized CF outpatient clinic, patients were offered the opportunity to consult a CF pharmacist. Together with the patient, a comparison was conducted with the previously documented medication list. Additional or differently taken medications, as well as the results of the interaction analysis, were documented in the electronic patient record and logged in a specifically developed data collection tool. Once a week, the respective data of these patients were discussed within the multidisciplinary team.
37 patient consultations took place between 11/24 and 04/25. Patients took an average of 9.7 medications, additionally 1.6 medications were recorded following inquiry by the clinical pharmacist. In total 120 drug related issues were identified. These issues included adverse drug reaction management (25%), instructions for use (25%), formal criteria for written prescriptions and drug shortage (17%), patient adherence concerns (13%), indications/contraindications (13%), and dose adjustments (7%).
An average of 2.7 drugs per medication, which were not taken in accordance with the current prescription plan, were identified by the clinical pharmacist.
All patients stated that the consultation with the clinical pharmacist was very helpful or helpful and 96% of patients indicated that they now feel confident in taking their medications correctly.
In the future, pharmaceutical CF care will be formally established in the form of a periodic review at the CF center of our clinic.
Patient Safety and Quality Assurance
Z. Ćetković, I. Popović
Due to the specific mechanism of action of oral oncology medicines, these patients require advanced clinical pharmacy services facilitated by information technology to deliver better person-centred healthcare. The purpose of this database is to gather all important information on oral oncology medicines and make them easily accessible, to educate patients and improve their treatment outcomes.
A hospital pharmacy team created a national database of oral oncology medicines, which was further integrated into a mobile application compatible with both iOS and Android device. This database included 79 medicines grouped by therapeutic indications, along with indications and dosage, information on administration and storage, interactions with other medicines and food, as well as precautions for the use in special populations.
The initiative was first developed during our national Symposium of hospital pharmacists, and within six months, it resulted in a national database of oral oncology medicines, supported by our Ministry of Health. After selecting a list of medicines, the next step involved creating a database in Excel. All information was straightforward and easy to comprehend for the general population. The final version of the database was thoroughly evaluated, and all issues were carefully addressed. In collaboration with the IT sector, the database was incorporated into the mobile application, available for all patients and healthcare professionals.
· Oral oncology medicines database provides evidence-based information on oral oncology medicines and offers medical support to patients taking these medicines at home, thus improving adherence and patient safety. · This database improves patient knowledge. · Situations with different scenarios are available to help manage interactions and various adverse reactions. · Instructions for the use of oral oncology medicines in special populations are available with just one click. · Continuous update by the hospital pharmacists is required to ensure data accuracy and optimal use.
Our next mission is to promote this database to a broader population of patients through the development of specialised pharmaceutical services, and further expand into interactive communication between patients and healthcare professionals. We intend to regularly update it, as new medicines and information become available.
Patient Safety and Quality Assurance
M. Echávarri de Miguel, C. Varela Guisasola, A. Sánchez Alonso, A. Abril Cabero, E. Nieto Martil, A. Merino Pardo, E. Algarra Sánchez, B. Riva de la Hoz, B. Márquez Arce, B. Leal Pino, M. Pozas del Río
Lactose used as a pharmaceutical excipient is generally obtained from skimmed milk and purified to remove milk proteins. Pharmacopoeias specify that lactose must be free from protein contaminants; hence, it has been considered safe for patients with cow’s milk protein allergy (CMPA). However, in severe allergies, medicines containing natural lactose should be avoided due to the potential risk of protein contamination. Although rare, cases of anaphylaxis from contaminant milk proteins have been reported, particularly with dry-powder inhalers, injectables, and vaccines.
This initiative arose after a suspected allergic reaction in a patient with severe CMPA following administration of an injectable containing lactose as an excipient. Given limited evidence and lack of transparency about lactose origin, an internal guideline was developed to enhance patient safety.
An internal hospital guideline was developed and implemented to verify the origin—natural or synthetic—of lactose used as an excipient in medicines. The guideline was created through systematic screening assisted by artificial intelligence, followed by verification with manufacturers.
With ChatGPT support, a Python-based code was created to analyze 3,278 pharmaceutical specialties for the presence of lactose. Manual validation of 360 medicines (95% confidence level, ±5% margin of error) confirmed the method’s reliability. The most dispensed medicines and all intravenous formulations, vaccines, and inhalers were reviewed due to higher risk described in literature. Manufacturers were contacted to determine whether lactose was natural or synthetic. Main challenges included delayed responses and limited data due to confidentiality.
Of the 3,278 medicines analyzed, 350 contained lactose or mentioned it in their product information, 1,522 did not, and 1,406 were inactive codes. Lactose origin was investigated for 152 products from 58 manufacturers, with responses in 92 cases (60.5%). Only five (5.4%) contained synthetic lactose. High-risk medicines included one inhaler and eight injectables (two vaccines) with natural lactose. Manual validation showed 100% concordance with automated results.
Next steps include expanding data to over 350 confirmed medicines, publishing results for open access, and developing an app for healthcare professionals. Integration into prescribing and dispensing systems is planned to generate automatic alerts for patients with severe CMPA.
Production and Compounding
A. Sousa; B. Martins; J. Gonçalves
ULSGE, Unidade Local de Saúde Gaia e Espinho, Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal
ana.luisa.sousa@ulsge.min-saude.pt
The quality and effectiveness of surface cleaning in the Clinical Compounding Unit (CCU) directly impacts the quality and safety of compounded medications. As a routine task, cleaning is often undervalued, and its effectiveness uncertain. The need for a reliable, real-time monitoring method led to the implementation of ATP testing, ensuring cleaning processes are effective and reproducible. Standard operating procedures, work instructions, and audit tools were developed to support its integration, based on the hospital-wide protocol.
High ATP levels indicate poor cleaning performance and increased microbiological risk, enabling immediate corrective action before any clinical compounding takes place.
The “Hospital Cleaning Verification Procedure – ATP Bioluminescence Method”, developed by the Local Unit for Infection Prevention and Control and Antimicrobial Resistance (UL-PPCIRA), was adapted and implemented in the CCU of the Hospital Pharmacy Service.
The test is simple and can be performed by any trained healthcare professional. It involves swabbing a surface, followed by luminometric reading. The light intensity from the enzymatic bioluminescent reaction correlates with the amount of ATP, indicating organic contamination.
Key challenges included the time needed for staff training and initial resistance to procedural changes, with some perceiving the tests as personal performance evaluations. These were addressed through training sessions and awareness efforts focused on promoting a culture of quality and collective responsibility. At the end of the year, the test results will be presented to the team during a training session, as part of the annual training program.
Monthly internal testing and bimonthly external audits by UL-PPCIRA are conducted, with approximately 120 tests/year. Non-compliant results lead to immediate cleaning repetition. So far, 17% of tests exceeded acceptable ATP levels. The goal is to reduce this to 10% by year-end. The project has actively engaged a multidisciplinary team of pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and support staff in improving service quality and patient safety through shared responsibility.
The aim is to maintain a dynamic, continuously improving process and expand ATP testing to other areas: Cytotoxic Preparation Unit, Repackaging Area, and eventually the entire Pharmacy Service. Future goals include identifying contamination sources to complement ATP testing, further enhancing process control.
Patient Safety and Quality Assurance
Furio Alessandro 5, Di Lorenzo Antonio 1, Noviello Chiara 4, Faggiano Maria Ernestina. 2, Bursomanno Beatrice 3, Cantalice Michele Alberto 5, Lobifaro Annamaria 5, Manicone Anna Lucia 5 , Spinelli Giuseppe 5, Parnoffi Nicoletta Francesca 5, Stefanizzi Pasquale 1, Tafuri Silvio 1
1 Dipartimento Interdisciplinare di Medicina – Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italia
2 Farmacia Ospedaliera – Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Policlinico di Bari, Bari, Italia
3 Scuola Di Specializzazione In Farmacia Ospedaliera – Università Degli Studi Di Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italia
4 Scuola Di Specializzazione In Igiene e Medicina Preventiva – Università Degli Studi Di Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italia
5 Unità di Programma Control Room / U.O.C. Igiene Universitaria – Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Policlinico di Bari, Bari, Italia
Hospitals face a significant challenge from healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), which stem from a complex interplay of various risk factors and have serious implications for patient safety and public health. The initiative was undertaken to address these threats through a multidisciplinary organizational framework, recognizing that safeguarding patients requires coordinated efforts from multiple healthcare professionals.
To tackle HAIs, the model implemented at Bari’s General Hospital combined systematic epidemiological surveillance with direct, onsite monitoring of healthcare practices, applying these strategies consistently using specifically designed checklists. This approach is fully in line with international recommendations, particularly the “One Health” strategy, which underscores the importance of integrated and multidisciplinary action in overcoming health challenges.
Prevalence studies, performed over a year, were recommended to improve understanding of infection risks related to invasive procedures, surgeries, and the use of antibiotics. These periodic surveys help to identify emerging trends and risk factors, enabling targeted interventions. Additionally, structured walkarounds within hospital facilities were implemented, allowing multidisciplinary teams to inspect environments, assess clinical records, and monitor drug storage methods. This approach not only prevents critical events but also highlights weaknesses and opportunities for improvement through focused staff training (audit).
Achievements from this combined strategy include a more integrated and thorough infection control program. By incorporating continuous audits, field surveillance, and ongoing education for healthcare staff, the hospital pharmacist’s role has evolved from being a background administrator to a frontline participant in infection prevention and stewardship. There has been a notable improvement in the management of both medications and medical devices, especially regarding their cleaning procedures and actual use. Additionally, significant progress has been made in the appropriateness of using anti-infective drugs—such as antifungals, antibiotics, disinfectants, and antivirals—resulting in more rational and safe pharmacological utilization throughout the hospital setting.
Further enhancements in infection control should focus on sustaining integrated surveillance, monitoring, and training programs. Moreover, it is essential to emphasize the importance of the hospital pharmacist within the corporate multidisciplinary team dedicated to the prevention of healthcare-associated infections, as their expertise is pivotal for the successful implementation of all strategic actions related to infection control and optimal medication use.
Patient Safety and Quality Assurance
S. Ambrosini, V. Orlando, C. Provezza Provezza, A. Zaltieri, N. Zanini, N. Faroni
Ensuring a multidisciplinary approach to the comprehensive care of hospitalized patients is a recognized indicator of healthcare quality. This strategy proved highly effective in the management of a patient with a multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) infection and a severe sacral pressure injury, requiring advanced antimicrobial therapy, targeted nutritional support, and specialized wound care to promote healing.
Multicompromised patients increasingly challenge hospital care due to infections from multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria, which limit therapeutic options and complicate management. Prolonged hospitalization also raises the risk of pressure injuries, worsening metabolic stress and delaying recovery. This initiative aim to apply an integrated therapeutic strategy—combining a reserve antibiotic, advanced wound care and tailored nutritional support—to promote healing, control infection and restore nutritional balance in a highly vulnerable patient.
The patient received Cefiderocol (2 g every 8 hours) and Fosfomycin (4 g every 6 hours) for six weeks to treat the PA infection. The pressure injury was managed with an oxygen-enriched oleic matrix dressing from organic olive oil, allowing controlled release of reactive oxygen species (ROS) to stimulate microcirculation, cell proliferation, and antimicrobial activity. Dressings were changed two to three times weekly based on progress. Nutritional needs were supported with a high-calorie, high-protein oral supplement (ONS) containing arginine, zinc, vitamin C, selenium, and carotenoids, given once or twice daily to enhance collagen synthesis and tissue repair.
This multidisciplinary strategy enabled the prompt definition and implementation of an optimal diagnostic–therapeutic pathway. The intervention and collaboration of multiple healthcare professionals ensured a faster and more effective patient response to treatment. The active involvement of the infectious disease specialist, clinical dietitian, wound care nurse, and hospital pharmacist guaranteed comprehensive, high-quality patient management —from drug and medical device supply to the successful resolution of infection and wound healing, while preventing malnutrition.
Establishing structured treatment pathways through multidisciplinary teams contributes to a more efficient and sustainable healthcare system. This experience represents an example of best practice, highlighting how collaboration among healthcare professionals—including pharmacists as medication safety officers—can be effectively translated to other hospital settings.
Patient Safety and Quality Assurance
C Gastalver Martin, O Serna Romero, I Escribano Valenciano, S Buendia Bravo, FJ Alonso Zazo, S Alvarez Atienza, D Garcia Gordillo, M Rubio Garcia, AM Iglesias Bolaños.
Medications prescribed in hospital’s electronic prescribing programs are transferred to automated dispensing devices (ADDs) to prevent medication errors and increase patient safety. This allows nurses to withdraw drugs from ADDs according to the medical prescription, dosage and schedule. However, most intensive care units (ICUs) have their own prescribing systems, usually computerized vital signs charts, which operate independently from the rest of the hospital systems. This fact could be a risk for patient safety.
The objective of this project is to increase the safety of patients admitted to ICUs by integrating prescriptions recorded in the computerized ICU chart with medication withdrawals from the ADD, thereby reducing medication errors.
A secondary objective was to automatically detect medications prescribed in the ICU but not entered into the unit’s ADD, improving medication availability without the need for manual review of the ICU prescription by the pharmacist.
This project increase the safety of patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit by integrating prescriptions recorded in the automated ICU chart with medication withdrawals from the ADD.
This also permitted to detect automatically medications prescribed in the ICU but not available into the unit’s ADD, increasing medication availability without the need for manual review of the ICU prescription by the pharmacist.
This project was implemented in several phases:
1. Preparation Phase
a. Cleanup of the ICU chart medication database: review of standardized treatment lines, dose adjustments to medication presentations, and removal of duplicates.
b. Mapping of the medication database: assignment of the article codes contained in the ADD to the treatment lines in the ICU chart, so that both systems can communicate with each other.
2. Implementation Phase
a. Integration testing and troubleshooting.
b. Go-live.
The implementation of computer integration of medical prescriptions through automated dispensing devices increased patient safety and reduced medication errors.
It also decreased the need for manual review of the ICU prescription by the pharmacist to ensure medication availability in the ICU ADD.
Pharmaceutical validation of medical prescriptions for ICU patients remains essential to ensure the appropriate treatment of these patients
Patient Safety and Quality Assurance
Mengato D, Camuffo L, Todino F, Binanti ME, Sartori S, Benini F, Venturini F
Medication errors in pediatrics often arise from incorrect handling or administration by caregivers. Strengthening their knowledge is essential to improve safety and adherence. The initiative aimed to raise awareness and assess caregivers’ understanding of safe medication use, storage, and the role of compounded (“galenic”) medicines. It also intended to reinforce the visibility of clinical pharmacists as accessible medication experts for families.
On 17 September 2025, during the World Health Organization’s World Patient Safety Day themed “Safe care for every newborn and every child”, the clinical pharmacy team of the Azienda Ospedale–Università Padova organized an awareness event within the Pediatric Department. The initiative included a pharmacist-managed information desk, an interactive quiz for parents and caregivers, educational materials on safe medication practices, and gadgets for children to foster engagement. Pharmacists were available throughout the day to answer questions and provide individual counseling on pediatric medicines.
A voluntary anonymous quiz with 10 knowledge-based and 2 awareness questions was administered to parents visiting the department. Participants received a score (1–10) and tailored feedback: scores ≥8 indicated excellent knowledge, 5–7 good knowledge with room for improvement, and <5 the need for closer pharmacist or physician guidance. The event required coordination with pediatric staff and logistical support for educational materials and space allocation.
Thirty-two parents completed the quiz: 68.8% achieved ≥8 points (“super-pharma-parents”), 28.1% scored 5–7, and 3.1% scored <5. Knowledge was strong regarding shaking suspensions (100%), completing antibiotic courses (96.9%), and proper disposal of expired drugs (96.9%). Gaps emerged in measuring tools (9.4% incorrect) and preparation environment (6.2% unsuitable). Awareness of galenic medicines was limited (18.7% misdefinition). The initiative was well-received, stimulating high engagement and requests for future educational sessions.
The experience improved caregiver awareness and strengthened collaboration between families and clinical pharmacists. This initiative, which is embedded with the Clinical Pharmacy Ambulatory, represents a reproducible model to enhance pediatric medication safety. Future steps include integrating similar educational events into routine hospital activities and developing digital tools to extend pharmacist-led counseling to the community.
Clinical Pharmacy Services
Mireia Coll-Vinent Ollé, Alba Martin Val, Lidia Estrada, Adrián Vilariño Seijas, Ana Cia Hidalgo, Marlene Álvarez Martins, Clara Rodríguez González, Júlia Galí Fortuny, Raquel Gil Bardají.
Care transitions are a major source of medication errors; therefore, therapeutic reconciliation plays an essential role in patient safety and treatment continuity. However, increasing workload and limited staff make it unfeasible to conduct thorough reconciliation for all patients systematically. The aim of this initiative was to develop a tool that enables prioritization of patients in therapeutic reconciliation and high-risk medication-related problems (MRPs) detection
A digital tool was developed and implemented to prioritize patients for therapeutic reconciliation at hospital admission and discharge. This approach allows hospital pharmacists to focus on patients with the greatest need for reconciliation, optimizing available resources and improving care continuity. The tool integrates structured clinical data from multiple sources: hospital and primary care records, electronic prescriptions, laboratory results, and nursing documentation.
A multidisciplinary team composed of clinical pharmacists and data engineers was established to design and implement the tool. Intelligent algorithms were developed to detect predefined alerts related to pathological history, inappropiate medication, anticholinergic burden, MRPs, drug–diagnosis and drug–parameter interactions, and drugs increasing fall risk. The tool was first validated through a pilot project, after which the algorithms were redefined based on preliminary results. Obstacles such as data integration from different systems, synchronization, and resource constraints were addressed by close collaboration with IT teams, and practical application of the tool.
The tool successfully reduced the time required for reconciliation by automatically prioritizing high-risk patients. It facilitated early detection of MRPs, leading to timely interventions and preventing potential adverse drug events. It also strengthened communication between hospitals, primary care, community pharmacies, and social-health centers, and supported health-care continuity.
This initiative represents a scalable model of good practice. It can be expanded to other hospitals and care settings where provided clinical data are structured and IT integration is feasible. Its adoption in broader healthcare contexts could optimize therapeutic reconciliation processes, reduce errors, and enhance patient safety across systems.
