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Medical and nursing staff highly value clinical pharmacists in the emergency department
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  1. Rollin J Fairbanks,
  2. James M Hildebrand,
  3. Karen E Kolstee,
  4. Sandra M Schneider,
  5. Manish N Shah
  1. Department of Emergency Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, USA
  1. Rollin J (Terry) Fairbanks, MD, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Rochester, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Box 655, Rochester, NY 14642, USA; Terry.Fairbanks{at}Rochester.edu

Abstract

Despite the potential impact that emergency pharmacist (EPh) programmes could have on medication safety and quality of care in the emergency department (ED), very few programmes exist. This descriptive survey study aimed to assess staff perceptions of an EPh programme. A random sample of medical and nursing staff in an academic medical centre ED with a dedicated EPh programme received a 26-item survey (82% return rate). 99% of respondents felt the EPh improves quality of care, 96% feel they are an integral part of the team, and 93% had consulted the EPh at least a few times during their last five shifts. Staff felt that the EPh should be available for consults, attend resuscitations, and check orders. This study reinforced the value of many specific duties of the EPh programme and found that doctors and nurses overwhelmingly favour the presence of an EPh in the ED, frequently seek their advice, and feel they improve quality of care. Staff acceptance is clearly not a barrier to implementation of this programme.

https://doi.org/10.1136/emj.2006.044313

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    Footnotes

    • Competing interests: None.

    • Funding: This work is part of a research effort funded by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (1U18HS015818); further information is available at www.EmergencyPharmacist.org. Mr Hildebrand was supported by the University of Rochester Medical School’s summer research programme. At the time of the study Dr Fairbanks also received funding from NIH/NINR (1R41NR009592). Dr Shah is supported by the Paul B Beeson Career Development Award (NIA 1K23AG028942).

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