Clinical and economic effects of pharmacy services in geriatric ambulatory clinic.
Pharmacy services were introduced in an established multidisciplinary geriatric ambulatory clinic. The pharmacist collaborated with primary care providers to optimize patients' drug regimens. Over 8 months there were 250 patient visits to the clinic. Traditional medical care was provided at 144 (57.6%) of these visits and traditional medical care plus pharmacist evaluation was provided at 106 (42.4%). The pharmacist identified 220 potential and actual drug-related problems. Acceptance of pharmacist-recommended changes in drug therapy was 98.6%. A mean reduction of 3.4 agents/patient was achieved in the intervention group (p<0.0001). Clinical outcomes of changes in drug therapy were neutral or positive in 99.5% of cases. Pharmacy services resulted in net savings of $7,788 annually.
Blakey
S A
SA
Department of Pharmacy Practice, Mercer University Southern School of Pharmacy, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
Hixson-Wallace
J A
JA
D000368:Aged; D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000191:economics*; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D005845:Georgia; D006299:Health Services for the Aged / Q000191:economics*; D006787:Hospitals, Veterans / Q000191:economics*; D006801:Humans; D010607:Pharmacy Service, Hospital / Q000191:economics*; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000600:supply & distribution; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D011619:Psychotropic Drugs