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. Recently, experts and influential organisations have called for the increased use of emergency pharmacists (EPh). 7A potential roadblock to implementation of an EPh programme is the perception that physician and nursing staff might be unlikely to seek or accept the services of an emergency pharmacist. Although several authors have reported on the role of the EPh, 5 8 9 no recent reports have examined the perceived value of this role from the perspective of emergency physician and nursing staff.This study is part of a larger research effort (supported by the US Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality) to evaluate the use of emergency pharmacists in the emergency department. Work is under way to study outcomes such as the impact on quality measures and adverse events in the ED. The study reported here is intended to address one perceived barrier by investigating whether the EPh role is accepted by ED staff. Specifically, this study aims to assess ED nursing and provider staff acceptance of the EPh as a member of the emergency care team, and their perceptions of the value of specific EPh functions. METHODSThis is a descriptive survey study of staff members in a US academic medical centre/trauma centre ED with 93 000 annual visits. The EPh is a doctor of pharmacy-prepared, residency trained clinical pharmacist based in the ED who provides consultations to providers and nurses, reviews medication orders, attends resuscitations, and assists with rapid preparation of urgent medications. ''How many times in your last 5 shifts in the ED during which an emergency pharmacist was on duty, have you consulted the emergency pharmacist? (select one)'' Multiple times per shift 18 (24%; 15% to 35% ) 6 (18%; 7% to 35%) 12 (29%; 16% to 45%) At least once per shift 30 (40%; 29% to 52%) 14 (42%; 25% to 61%) 16 (38%; 24% to 54%) A few times 22 (29%; 19% to 41%) 12 (36%; 20% to 55%) 10 (24%; 12% to 39%) Not at all 5 (7%; 2% to 15%) 1 (3%; 0% to 16%) 4 (10%; 3% to 23%)''Which of the following do you think is most important in ...

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