[Systematic review of the implementation and evaluation of Pharmaceutical Care in hospitalised patients(Pharmaceutical Care implementation in hospitalised patients. Systematic review)].

INTRODUCTION The persistent morbidity and mortality related to pharmaceutical treatment for hospitalised patients mean that it is necessary to identify scientific criteria for implementing and evaluating Pharmaceutical Care (phC) on the hospital setting. OBJECTIVE The purpose of the study is to perform a systematic literature review in order to locate, select and analyse studies on implementing and evaluating phC in hospitalised patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS We searched for articles having to do with clinical pharmacy (CP) and phC published between 1990 and 2006, using a restricted search technique combining all descriptors. The databases we searched were Medline, Embase-Drug & Pharmacology and Cochrane Library. We selected original articles and reviews in English or Spanish describing a phC and clinical pharmacy programme having a participating pharmacist and used in hospitalised patients. RESULTS We located 66 publications, of which 49 (74.2%) were included and 17 (25.8%) were excluded. We selected 15 (22.7%) on integrating CP and phC in the hospital environment, 18 (27.3%) on implementing phC and 16 (24.2%) relating to evaluating phC programmes. CONCLUSIONS In the listed studies, pharmacists have managed to incorporate phC programmes in pharmacy divisions' treatment activities. Joining efforts in order to unify CP and phC criteria should be a plan for a common future in this profession. Patients under care should obtain concrete health benefits from phC use, and hospitals should recognise that they create beneficial effects at a reasonable cost.