Implementing an emergency department pharmacy service and its effect on medication safety

Abstract Objectives This service innovation project examined the effect an Emergency Department (ED) pharmacy had on medication-related safety markers. Methods A pre-test/post-test design captured markers admission data at ward level after patients been seen in ED. The were, medication omitted, incorrect medicines prescribed and number of doses or frequency doses. Key findings All three saw reductions. Mean (SD) medications omitted were reduced from 2.19 (±3.01) to 0.48 (±1.3), 0.35 (±1.11) 0.08 (±0.36) 0.38 (±0.69) 0.13 (±0.38) per patient. differences statistically significant (P = 0.00). Conclusions error allowed a permanent be introduced.