title: Pilot study of a pharmaceutical care intervention in an outpatient lung transplant clinic.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Lung transplant recipients have complex drug regimens. Study objectives were to assess drug therapy problems (DTPs), pharmacist recommendations, and patient satisfaction with pharmacist services.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using a pharmaceutical care assessment process, pharmacists identified DTPs and made therapeutic recommendations. Number of DTPs identified per pharmacist visit was calculated and compared to standard care visits through retrospective chart review. Potential clinical impact of recommendations was evaluated by blinded clinicians. Patient satisfaction was assessed via survey.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifty-five DTPs were identified in 43 patients over 50 pharmacist visits (1.05 ± 1.34 DTPs per visit). In these same patients, rate of DTP identification was 0.51 ± 0.64 DTPs per standard visit in the preceding two-wk period (p = 0.018 vs. pharmacist visit). The most common DTPs identified by the pharmacist were adverse drug effect (27%) and untreated indication (25%). Overall, 62% of pharmacist recommendations were rated very significant or significant. Survey return rate was 58% and satisfaction scores ranged from 3 to 5 out of 5. Review of medications and teaching regarding the use of medications received the most "very satisfied" and "highly important" scores.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pharmacists can make valuable contributions in a lung transplant clinic setting by identifying DTPs and making recommendations with a positive impact on patient outcomes and satisfaction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy Services, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada. jennifer.harrison@uhn.ca
authors.forename: Jennifer J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Harrison
authors.forename: June
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cervenko
authors.forename: Leah
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Jackson
authors.forename: Dipika
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Munyal
authors.forename: Bassem
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hamandi
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chernenko
authors.forename: Josie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dorosz
authors.forename: Cecilia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chaparro
authors.forename: Lianne G
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Singer
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities; D004347:Drug Interactions; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016040:Lung Transplantation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010593:Pharmaceutical Services; D019338:Polypharmacy; D055815:Young Adult