title: Clinical pharmacists with EM training slash medication errors, help to optimize therapies in the ED.
abstract: Pharmacists who specialize in emergency medicine are taking a place at the bedside in a small but growing number of EDs. Studies show the approach can make a big dent in medication errors and can quickly guide physicians toward optimal therapies with respect to trauma patients and other complex cases. Experts say clinical pharmacists provide an extra safeguard that is commonly missed in the fast-paced ED setting. Experts estimate that 10% of EDs have established clinical pharmacy programs in the past 10 years. Pharmacists serve on trauma teams, review medication orders, assist with medication titration, and act as a communication bridge between the ED and the inpatient pharmacy. Recent studies suggest pharmacists capture significantly more medication errors than other personnel, and that they help to speed patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarctions from the ED to the cardiac catheterization laboratory. Nurse and physician buy-in are critical to the success of a clinical pharmacist program in the ED.
mesh_terms: D004635:Emergency Medicine / Q000193:education*; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D006801:Humans; D008508:Medication Errors / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010595:Pharmacists; D014481:United States