Medication Safety Quality Measures

Standard methods for patient ID Medication safety training Medication comparison process Look-alike and sound-alike medications Point-of-care pharmacists Diabetes management protocols Anticoagulant management protocols Chemotherapy management protocols

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Medication Safety Quality Measures

Point of care pharmacists

Traditionally hospital pharmacists have spent most of their time in the hospital pharmacy, but today more pharmacists are working on patient care units or at the "point of care." Physicians, nurses, and patients benefit by having a knowledgeable team member readily available for questions regarding medications. According to the Journal of the American Medical Association (July 21, 1999; 282(3): 267-270), a 66 percent reduction in preventable adverse medication events was demonstrated when a pharmacist was present during patient care rounds.

At St. Mary's Hospital Medical Center, point-of-care pharmacists perform the following unit-based services:

• identify medication-related problems
• facilitate replacement of missing doses of medications
• clarify problem orders with prescribers
• provide inservices for staff
• make patient rounds with the clinical team