Clinical Pharmacy Forum
Sunday, November 12, 2023
12:45 PM–02:15 PM
Abstract
Service or Program: A pharmacy resident joined the inpatient obstetric (OB) teams and provided comprehensive pharmaceutical care to pregnant and postpartum patients during a clinical rotation. The pharmacist attended daily labor and delivery and postpartum discharge rounds. Interventions by the pharmacist included therapeutic drug selection, dosing, duration, and monitoring. The pharmacist also performed admission medication reconciliations for high-risk patients and facilitated discharge medication reconciliations and counseling. The aim was to enhance patient care through increased interventions and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Justification/Documentation: Extensive literature exists regarding the roles and activities of clinical pharmacists in various practice settings. However, the role of clinical pharmacists in acute OB care is limited. This innovative program aimed to bridge this gap by integrating a clinical pharmacist into an acute OB setting. The primary outcome measure was the average number of pharmacotherapy interventions per month, monitored through electronic medical records. Additionally, OB providers were surveyed to gather insights into the perceived value of various clinical pharmacy services offered.
Adaptability: The program was implemented with the collaboration of the OB leadership group. The structured framework allowed seamless integration into existing workflows, ensuring efficient and effective patient care. The program's adaptability makes it feasible for implementation in other institutions seeking to enhance OB pharmaceutical care, especially in underserved populations.
Significance: This innovative service significantly improved patient care and addressed the gap in health disparities. The average number of interventions on pharmacotherapy per month increased by 52% (from 100 to 209). Moreover, the survey revealed high provider satisfaction with the clinical services provided. It highlighted the valuable contributions of a dedicated OB clinical pharmacist in optimizing medication therapy and promoting patient safety in the acute setting, filling a gap in the existing literature. A standard model for clinical pharmacist services in the OB field is warranted.
Presenting Author
Min Zhang PharmD, BPCS, BCIDPBoston Medical Center
Authors
Niamh O'grady PharmD
Boston Medical Center