DEVELOPMENT OF A 7 DAY CLINICAL PHARMACY SERVICE
Pdf
European Statement
Introductory Statements and Governance
Author(s)
S. Antoniou, M. Sullivan, P. Wright, J. Quinn
Why was it done?
The cardiac centre receives over 1800 acute admissions per year, with 20% of patients admitted on weekends. National reports highlight increased mortality at weekends, which has led to a call for the NHS to provide a consistent service throughout the week1. In accordance with the European statements of hospital pharmacy2, there was a need to ensure all prescriptions be reviewed and validated promptly on admission.
What was done?
Implementation of a 7 day clinical pharmacy service to a newly merged cardiac centre.
How was it done?
A successful business case for additional resources allowed for expansion of existing service to be delivered. This facilitated change in working hours for frontline staff, including provision of a shift system ensuring the EU working time directive3 was not exceeded. Expansion of the ward based pharmacy technicians’ role to include ward based dispensing led to timely access to medicines. An increase in the visibility of pharmacy staff at the ward level facilitated a patient facing clinical pharmacy service over the 7 days.
What has been achieved?
All new admissions and discharges are reviewed at weekends with visits to coronary and intensive care. Medicines reconciliation within 24 h is above 95%. 98% of discharge medication is supplied at ward level and 93% prepared prior to discharge prescription written. Feedback from patients, nursing and medical staff has been extremely positive.
What next?
The service is currently provided for patients admitted within the cardiac services. A review is underway to consider staffing requirements to implement the service across the whole site and the trust.