Pharmacists have been encouraged to enhance their role on primary healthcare teams; but, the profession has yet to be involved to the degree in which a substantial impact can be made. The objective of this study was to provide guidance on how to integrate a pharmacist into an already established primary healthcare team. Using action research, a panel of established primary healthcare pharmacists identified clinical activities for a primary healthcare pharmacist tailored for the project site. The results were presented to the primary healthcare team, who then collaborated with the pharmacist and researchers to define the role of the pharmacist. Once an agreement was reached, a pharmacist provided eight weeks of full-time clinical services. Upon completion, focus groups were used to evaluate the pharmacist's clinical services. The focus group data, along with the pharmacist's suggestions, formed a step-wise guide for integration. The template consists of eight steps which highlight the importance of selecting a collaborative process and team, defining the role of the pharmacist, determining the logistics of providing care, establishing credibility, re-evaluating the role as it evolves, and obtaining patient feedback. Pharmacists desiring to be involved in primary healthcare teams can follow this template to assist them with integration.

Emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs; levonorgestrel or combination oral contraceptives) are used in unique regimens soon after failed contraception or unprotected intercourse to prevent pregnancy. Prompt access to these products is important, as efficacy diminishes with time since intercourse. The availability of EC from pharmacists (either as prescribed Schedule F products or via a rescheduling to Schedule II pharmacist-supervised sale) would greatly increase access. In Saskatchewan, pharmacists have received independent prescribing authority for ECPs. This article describes the process for assessing competency to prescribe EC in that province. A faculty of pharmacy developed a workshop to educate pharmacists about emergency contraceptive products, their mechanism of action, the necessary assessment and documentation processes, ethical issues related to emergency contraception, and counselling techniques. It also offered participants an opportunity to explore a variety of clinical cases in small groups. Participants completed a test before and after the training and were required to attain a score of 80% or greater on the latter test to become certified to prescribe. The average scores on the pre- and post-training tests were 14.4/25 (57.6%) and 22.1/26 (85.0%), respectively (p < 0.05). Over a series of three workshops, 17.2% of Saskatchewan's 1182 pharmacists became certified to prescribe ECPs. The workshop was offered again in June and September 2003, in anticipation of the September 1, 2003, legislative changes.

Background: Venous thromboembolism (VTE), comprised of both deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE), is a common complication for hospitalized patients. Clear guidance is available to practitioners in regard to risk factors for the development of VTE as well as strategies to decrease its prevalence. Despite knowing who is at risk and how to prevent VTE, practitioners provide adequate measures to only half of the patients who are eligible for VTE prophylaxis. Pharmacy practitioners within the Regina Qu'Appelle Health Region (RQHR) have been actively involved in improving VTE prophylaxis for inpatients over the past 10 years. Objective: To improve the rate of VTE prophylaxis within the RQHR, thereby improving patient safety. Methods: The strategy involved 3 phases: a preparation phase, an active intervention phase, and a maintenance and improvement phase. The preparation phase included education and participation in a national registry along with a residency project. The intervention phase consisted of a number of strategies in conjunction with 1-day VTE prophylaxis audits, and the maintenance phase consisted of ongoing educational initiatives and audits. , the percentage of patients being appropriately managed for VTE prophylaxis within the RQHR improved from 62% to 94% (P , .005). Looking specifically at our medical and surgical populations, rates increased from 47% to 90% (P , .005) and 79% to 97% (P , .005), respectively. Conclusion: The strategy was successful in improving VTE prophylaxis in the inpatient population.Hosp Pharm-2011;46(8):574-579 V enous thromboembolism (VTE), comprised of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE), is a common complication in hospitalized medical and surgical patients, with an incidence rate of up to 40% and 60%, respectively. 1 The majority of inpatients have at least 1 risk factor for VTE, while approximately 40% have 3 or more. 2 VTE leads to significant mortality; PE is associated with a case-fatality rate of up to 12%. 3 The risk is higher in elderly patients as the 1-year mortality rate of DVT and PE reaches 21% and 40%, respectively. 4 A decade ago, the American Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality highlighted the need for inpatient VTE prophylaxis and identified it as the number one preventative strategy to improve patient safety. 5 Despite the risk and recognition over the past