OBJECTIVE To determine the incidence of clinically relevant potential drug-drug interactions (DDIs) in a large population of ambulatory patients utilizing a computerized, retrospective drug utilization review (DUR) program followed by clinical pharmacist audit. METHODS The drug claims database included approximately 2.9 million patients with more than 30 million prescriptions dispensed in the...

in recent decades, by increasing complexity of drug therapy, pharmacists considered as health- care members who can help optimizing drug therapy. we know that medicines do not have the anticipated effects all the times and a vast variability may exist in their behaviors in the body. so, it is very crucial to individualize treatment for every single patient. nowadays, optimizing drug therapy in ...

Methods We developed an AMS program, headed by a pharmacist and infectious diseases (ID) physician. Drug utilization reviews identified an expensive, broad-spectrum agent (piperacillin-tazobactam [P-T]) for initial targeting. An AMS form for listing clinical data and recommendations was developed. A daily list of patients receiving P-T was used to identify target patients for intervention. The ...

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effect of case management by a clinical pharmacist on glycemic control and preventive measures in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. STUDY DESIGN Randomized controlled trial in a university-affiliated primary care internal medicine clinic. METHODS We recruited 80 patients with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus. A clinical pharmacist provided evaluatio...

KEY CLINICAL MESSAGE A clinical pharmacist offers invaluable support in the development of a final prescription with better patient management and enhanced safety. Increasingly, medical practice is becoming a team effort with a specialized skill matrix, concentrating on multifaceted support for patient management. A physician undoubtedly leads the team, comprised of a specialist and skilled cli...

BACKGROUND The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (2010) directed the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to implement a hospital readmissions reduction program that reduces payments to hospitals for excess readmissions that began in October 2012. As such, hospitals across the country have been trying to identify and implement successful strategies for reducing hospitalizations. ...

Using a qualitative phenomenological approach, the purpose of this study was to examine characteristics of the pharmacist-diabetic patient relationship that have the potential to lead to behavioral changes and improved clinical outcomes. Bandura's self-efficacy model served as the theoretical framework. Interviews were conducted with 12 participants diagnosed with diabetes regarding their lived...

Pharmacy services were introduced in an established multidisciplinary geriatric ambulatory clinic. The pharmacist collaborated with primary care providers to optimize patients' drug regimens. Over 8 months there were 250 patient visits to the clinic. Traditional medical care was provided at 144 (57.6%) of these visits and traditional medical care plus pharmacist evaluation was provided at 106 (...

Background Increased involvement of pharmacists in patient care may increase access to health care and improve patient outcomes. Purpose To determine the effectiveness and harms of pharmacist-led chronic disease management for community-dwelling adults. Data Sources MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, and International Pharmaceutical Abstracts from 1995 through February 2016, and reference l...

PURPOSE Pharmacist prescribing as part of a collaborative drug therapy agreement (CDTA) within an integrated health system in Washington is described. SUMMARY Virginia Mason Medical Center (VMMC) in Seattle, Washington, uses a team-based care model with broad-based CDTAs to provide quality patient care. The majority of patients are referred to the pharmacist after a diagnosis has been made an...