Using pharmacy technicians and telepharmacy to obtain medication histories in the emergency department

McGinnis, Brandy; Padilla, Eimeira; Garret, Pat; Aziz, Shewan M.

doi:10.1016/j.japh.2019.01.019

Cited by 11 publications

(36 citation statements)

References 35 publications

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“…In this regard, numerous studies have indicated that the use of technology in pharmacy can have a significant effect on clinical decision-making, reduction of medical errors, and drug interactions. 26,27 McGinnis et al 28 also discussed the effect of using telepharmacy services on identifying patients’ medical history in emergency departments and reducing drug interactions. Therefore, according to the findings of previous studies and the results of this research, the use of telepharmacy can prevent inadvertent pharmaceutical problems and errors by pharmacists and physicians.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Overall, several previous studies have investigated the various factors involved in the implementation and use of telemedicine services in different health care provider organizations. 9,14,28-30 This study prioritized the most important 2-person discussions and also identified barriers to, and benefits of telepharmacy services from pharmacists’ perspectives. One limitation of this study was that it only examined the viewpoints of pharmacists working in Kerman pharmacies.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Investigating Pharmacists’ Views on Telepharmacy: Prioritizing Key Relationships, Barriers, and Benefits

Ameri

Salmanizadeh

Keshvardoost

et al. 2020

Journal of Pharmacy Technology

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Background: Telepharmacy can help deliver pharmaceutical advice from an expert pharmacist to another party, such as a physician, inexperienced pharmacist, or pharmacy technician. In this study, we consider term “2-person discussions” as teleconsultation between expert pharmacists to each of the aforementioned persons. Objectives: This study has 2 aims: first to prioritize 2-person discussions between the parties involved in telepharmacy services when we have limited budget and time and would like to implement the best efficient telepharmacy system. Second to examine the barriers and benefits of implementing a telepharmacy. Methods: The research population included 40 pharmacists working in Kerman pharmacies (Iran). Their viewpoints were evaluated using a valid and reliable researcher-made questionnaire. The first part of the questionnaire focused on professional-demographic information, while the second part addressed the most important 2-person discussions and also asked about barriers to and benefits of implementing telepharmacy. Results: The findings indicate that the following 2-person discussions are priority for implementation: physician-pharmacist, pharmacist-hospital ward, and pharmacist-pharmacist. Payment and reimbursement issues and lack of access to information technology infrastructure were among the most important barriers. Efficient training about medicine usage, drug-drug interactions, and adverse effects was the most important benefit of telepharmacy. Conclusion: In this study, pharmacists’ first priority regarding who to involve in a 2-person telepharmacy consultation was to establish a long-distance connection between physicians and pharmacists. This finding indicates that the pharmacists were more interested in providing teleconsultation services to physicians and other pharmacists rather than communicating with pharmaceutical technicians.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Investigating Pharmacists’ Views on Telepharmacy: Prioritizing Key Relationships, Barriers, and Benefits

Ameri

Salmanizadeh

Keshvardoost

et al. 2020

Journal of Pharmacy Technology

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“…Medication-related adverse events and errors are responsible for a significant portion of patient morbidity, mortality, and hospital admissions, all resulting in increased healthcare expenditures and decreased patient quality of life. [1][2][3][4][5] Adverse drug events (ADEs) result in over 700,000 injuries or deaths in U.S. hospitals per year, and up to half are associated with preventable medication errors, each of which cost hospitals between $2852 and $8116 in extra expenses. [1][2][3] Evidence supports that over 27% of hospital prescribing errors and at least 50% of medication discrepancies during discharge are associated with admission discrepancies and incorrect medication histories.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…within Seton 35223) Cell: 512-745-2291; Email: bmcginnis@ascension.org multiple medications to treat a single patient, a phenomenon that has been increasing in the United States for several years. [5][6][7] Older adults aged ≥ 65 years of age tend to have a higher number of chronic conditions and therefore increased use of medications. [5][6][7] Polypharmacy is associated with a higher risk of ADEs, with significant impact on mortality and likelihood of hospitalization.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…[5][6][7] Older adults aged ≥ 65 years of age tend to have a higher number of chronic conditions and therefore increased use of medications. [5][6][7] Polypharmacy is associated with a higher risk of ADEs, with significant impact on mortality and likelihood of hospitalization. [5][6][7] Preventing such potential medication errors as a result of polypharmacy or medication discrepancies in an outpatient setting can save an average of $3.5 billion per year nationwide.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Identifying Potential High-Risk Medication Errors Using Telepharmacy and a Web-Based Survey Tool

2021

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Background and Introduction: Obtaining patient medication histories during emergency department (ED) admissions is an important step towards identifying potential errors that could otherwise remain in the patient’s active medication list. This is a descriptive report of a standardized, electronic data collection tool created to document potential medication errors in patients receiving high-risk medications during ED admissions. Materials and Methods: Trained pharmacy technicians completed a survey following medication history collection using a secure web platform called REDCap®. Data collected included patient-specific information, the number and type of high-risk medications, and potential medication errors identified in the collection process. Results: During a pilot period of April 2019 to October 2020, 191 patient records were completed using the survey tool. Out of a total of 1088 medications recorded, 41% were considered high-risk medications. 42% of potential medication errors were classified as high-risk medication errors. Results from this survey tool demonstrated that 58% of high-risk medication orders could potentially result in a medication error that can be carried through patient admission and discharge. Discussion: Accurate medication history and transitions of care can significantly impact patient quality of life. The cost of addressing a medication related-adverse event is also substantial. Based on published reports, annual gross savings to a hospital is estimated to be $4532 per harmful error in 2020, after adjusting for inflation. This equated to approximately $1,182,852 in estimated savings for Ascension Texas in 18 months. Nationwide, preventing potential medication errors in an outpatient setting can save on average $3.5 billion per year. Conclusion: This web-based survey tool has improved the quality and efficiency of potential error identification during medication history collection by pharmacy technicians. This information can be easily retrieved and aid in discussions regarding medication reconciliation at the leadership level and impact patient treatment outcomes by developing virtual processes that may result in fewer medication related events.

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Assessing the impact of virtual medication history technicians on medication reconciliation discrepancies

et al. 2021

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Using pharmacy technicians and telepharmacy to obtain medication histories in the emergency department

Cited by 11 publications

References 35 publications

Investigating Pharmacists’ Views on Telepharmacy: Prioritizing Key Relationships, Barriers, and Benefits

Investigating Pharmacists’ Views on Telepharmacy: Prioritizing Key Relationships, Barriers, and Benefits

Identifying Potential High-Risk Medication Errors Using Telepharmacy and a Web-Based Survey Tool

Assessing the impact of virtual medication history technicians on medication reconciliation discrepancies

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