Authors (including presenting author) :
Fong TS(1), Hung SS(2), Chung YSA(3), Chan WYM(1), Mak CK(1), Chong CH(2), Lo CH(2), Mak LKK(1)(2)(3)
Affiliation :
(1)Department of Pharmacy, Tseung Kwan O Hospital, (2)Department of Pharmacy, United Christian Hospital, (3)Department of Pharmacy, Haven of Hope Hospital
Introduction :
Tseung Kwan O Hospital and United Christian Hospital have started Ward Pharmacist Service in acute medical wards since 2018 and 2022 respectively. They currently provide on-site pharmacist support to nine medical wards. Ward pharmacists would review medication profiles and manage drug-related issues throughout the patient journey. Satisfaction surveys have been conducted to collect opinions from physicians, nurses and patients on this service.
Objectives :
To evaluate the impact of Ward Pharmacist Service and assess overall satisfaction with this service.
Methodology :
Satisfaction surveys were conducted from September 2023 to July 2024, targeting physicians, nurses and patients in service wards. Questionnaires were distributed to physicians and nurses while patient interviews were conducted by dispensers.
Result & Outcome :
A total of 46 responses from physicians, 138 from nurses and 126 from patients were collected.
All physicians agreed ward pharmacists could enhance medication accuracy, discharge efficiency, patient safety and quality of patient care. Over 70% of physicians have received Advanced Prescription Service (APS), with 97.2% agreeing APS could free up their time spent on prescribing discharge medications and 41.7% anticipating over 10 minutes of freed-up time per case. All physicians agreed this service was important to their clinical practice and should be extended to other wards.
All nurses agreed ward pharmacists could help them solve drug-related problems and could increase accuracy and completeness of discharge prescriptions. Over 98% of nurses agreed ward pharmacists could enhance pharmaceutical care and medication safety, relieve nursing workload and should be extended to other wards for all hospitalised patients. Majority (64.9%) of nurses believed ward pharmacists could save over 10 minutes per discharge case for them.
All patients agreed ward pharmacists could enhance their understanding of drug indications, administration methods and precautions. Over 75% of patients agreed they understood medication side effects and the corresponding management better. Appreciation letters were received and all patients were satisfied with this service.
The satisfaction survey demonstrated that Ward Pharmacist Service could enhance patient care, improve medication safety and relieve workload of physicians and nurses. The service was well accepted by healthcare professionals and patients and should be extended to other wards.
