Clinical pharmacists as allied health care providers to psychiatric patients.
The effect of clinical pharmacy services on the quality and economy of health care provided to psychiatric patients at a Veterans Administration outpatient clinic was evaluated. Twenty-one patients were selected from the Day Treatment Center, of these, 19 patients completed the study. In providing health care to these psychiatric patients, the clinical pharmacist used a systemized approach including data gathering, evaluation, plan of action, and follow-up. In addition, medication groups and weekly staff meetings were incorporated into the patient treatment plan. Following a 3-month study period, the impact of clinical pharmacy services was evaluated. The provision of allied health care to psychiatric patients by clinical pharmacists resulted in a decreased incidence and severity of adverse drug effects, fewer drug use problems, a reduction in the total number of drugs prescribed, improved patient drug knowledge, and reduced expenditures for health care without compromising the patient's mental functioning.
D002140:California; D003631:Day Care, Medical; D006126:Group Processes; D006746:Hospital Bed Capacity, 500 and over; D006787:Hospitals, Veterans; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010595:Pharmacists / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010607:Pharmacy Service, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration*