What do Emergency Department Pharmacist Practitioners know and understand about patient safeguarding?

Abstract

Background Pharmacists with additional clinical skills now work in UK emergency departments. Known as Emergency Department Pharmacist Practitioners, the role was developed in response to a shortage of doctors and nurses. They carry out activities typical of traditional hospital pharmacists, but also novel ‘practitioner’ activities such as examining patients, and acting as designated care provider. The role includes a responsibility to safeguard patients from harm. Professional competence, i.e. to safeguard patients, is underpinned by knowledge of the subject, but also the ability to apply that knowledge. Objective To investigate what Emergency Department Pharmacist Practitioners know and understand about safeguarding vulnerable children and adults. Methods Emergency Department Pharmacist Practitioners were interviewed to explore their knowledge and understanding of safeguarding. Interview questions were developed from review of relevant literature, as were vignettes with variables identified and altered to produce different scenarios. Template analysis was used to code data to a priori themes for each of the stages of the initial safeguarding process, and new themes that emerged throughout the process. Results Six themes were identified in addition to the four a priori themes. Overall, participants frequently described how safeguarding concerns are both recognised and responded to, but seemed more comfortable when responding to medicines related concerns. Factors thought to influence the safeguarding process included: resources and setting; and education, training and experiential learning; and culture. Conclusions While Emergency Department Pharmacist Practitioners interviewed were aware of the safeguarding process, there were some misconceptions as to the roles of different health workers.