title: Pharmacist-generated electronic consults to improve hypertension management in a multisite health centre: pilot study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Utilisation of the electronic medical record (EMR) is believed to facilitate timely access to patient information, enhance communication between care team members and further promote clinical decision support.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine if pharmacist-generated electronic consults (e-consults) improve blood pressure control among patients with uncontrolled hypertension in a multisite health centre.
  
  
  METHODS
  Pharmacists generated hypertension medication e-consults with review by primary care provider (PCP) during the patient appointment. We conducted a retrospective review of consults to determine types of pharmacist recommendations, PCP acceptance rates, and blood pressure changes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Pharmacists generated a total of 60 e-consults, 41 patients with a systolic blood pressure above their respective goal; e-consults were accepted 46% ( n = 19) of the time.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This pilot project demonstrates a unique way for pharmacists to proactively utilise the EMR when delivering coordinated care within a multisite health centre. In addition, pharmacists were successfully integrated into the planned care approach.
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA.
authors.forename: Marissa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Salvo
authors.forename: Stefanie C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Nigro
authors.forename: Deborah
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ward
mesh_terms: D057286:Electronic Health Records; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010593:Pharmaceutical Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010595:Pharmacists; D010865:Pilot Projects; D024382:Professional Role; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012189:Retrospective Studies