Authors (including presenting author) :
Chan WYM(1), Lam YY(1), Lau CK(1), Chan NC(1), Mak CK(1), Mak LK(1), Lui MWM(2), Chan TWL(2)
Affiliation :
(1)Pharmacy Department, Tseung Kwan O Hospital,(2)Department of Paediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, Tseung Kwan O Hospital
Introduction :
Paediatric clinical pharmacy service has been implemented in TKOH general paediatric ward since 2013. From September 2019 onwards, a new discharge service model was implemented to provide on-site discharge support including prescriptions review, verification, and bedside discharge medication counselling by paediatric clinical pharmacists during service hours.
Objectives :
Aim of new service model was to enhance patient care, reduce caregivers waiting time in pharmacy to collect discharge medications and relieve workload of nurses from handling discharge prescriptions.
Methodology :
Pharmacy Management System setting in general paediatric ward was augmented to enable paediatric clinical pharmacist to verify discharge prescriptions in ward and simultaneously generate dispensing labels in pharmacy. When patient was ready for discharge, paediatric clinical pharmacist would process discharge prescription, rectify any problem identified on site and conduct bedside discharge medication counselling. Caregiver would be given a ticket number to pick up medications directly from pharmacy.
Waiting time for collecting medications in pharmacy before and after commencement of service and number of prescription-related problems (PRPs) identified during discharge service from September to October 2019 were evaluated. Satisfaction survey was conducted from 9 to 20 September 2019 to measure caregivers’ experience on the new service. Survey for nurses in paediatric ward was also designed to collect their feedback.
Result & Outcome :
From 2 September to 31 October 2019, paediatric clinical pharmacists processed 129 prescriptions in ward and conducted 126 bedside counselling. Average waiting time in pharmacy decreased significantly from 16.5 minutes to 2 minutes. 21 PRPs were identified. Surveys from 51 caregivers were collected. Results on all evaluative questions were positive; majority of respondents were very satisfied about the service and strongly agreed that the service enhanced their understandings on drug regimen and made it more convenient to collect discharged medications. Nurses unanimously agreed pharmacist discharge service was helpful and let them better focus on other patient care.
The data suggested that this new service model was well accepted by caregivers and nurses. Through multidisciplinary collaboration, this new service model enhanced service quality and reduced caregivers waiting time in pharmacy to collect discharge medications. It also allowed better utilization of resources and relieved workload of nurses, sparing them for other clinical work.
