Pharmacy Daily | SHPA backs 24-hour pharmacy service

PHARMACISTS should play a greater role in general medical units, the Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia (SHPA) believes.

In its latest Standard of practice in general medicine for pharmacy services, published in the Journal of Pharmacy Practice and Research, the SHPA highlighted the case for broader pharmacist roles to improve medicines-related outcomes through the provision of comprehensive care.

SHPA General Medicine Chair, Dr Erica Tong, said the clinical pharmacist's role in the general medicine unit was both critical and unique.

"Patients admitted to general medical units are often complex with multiple comorbidities, polypharmacy and at risk for drug-related problems associated with increased morbidity and mortality," she said.

"For decades clinical pharmacists have routinely contributed to the care of these patients and we know that their presence on daily medical ward rounds, embedded in a multidisciplinary team, is proven to reduce patients' exposure to preventable adverse drug events.

"While their positive impact is generally accepted, clinical pharmacists' role in general medical units has remained limited.

"In Australia however, we are seeing emerging support for extending the scope for general medicine pharmacists, with clinical pharmacists often recognised members of general medicine multidisciplinary teams.

"As detailed in the Standard, there should also be consideration of extended hours of pharmacy service to accommodate the high patient turnover frequently encountered in general medicine units.

"As part of a broader clinical service, a 24-hour pharmacy service to optimise the care of patients outside of traditional business hours would be ideal."

SHPA President, Peter Fowler, said there was significant evidence to support an extended scope for pharmacists in general medicine.

"The evidence shows that inpatient medication errors among short-stay patients with complex medication regimens or polypharmacy are significantly reduced when pharmacists partner with medical staff to jointly chart initial medications on admission," he said.

"SHPA will continue to advocate for the proven impact of hospital pharmacists in all care settings, toward the clear goal of optimal patient care."