title: ED-based pharmacists make a big dent in medication errors.
abstract: When Children's Medical Center in Dallas, TX, decided to place specially trained pharmacists on site in the ED around the clock, medication errors went from 8% to less than 1%.The pharmacists review every order that is written before a medication ever reaches a patient, and they are on hand to provide guidance to physicians, nurses, and patients in real time. Their input is clearly valued: Administrators estimate that when pharmacists suggest a change to a provider's medication decision, that suggestion is adopted 75%-90% of the time. According to research, hospital medication errors are three times more likely to occur in pediatric populations than adults. Children's Medical Center employs 10 on-site pharmacists in the ED with 24/7 coverage. Pharmacists are part of the care team for all of the critical care patients who come through the ED, and they are available to provide guidance to providers and nurses on medication-related issues. At times, nurses call on the pharmacists to speak with patients or families about their medications--especially in cases with complicated medication regimens.
mesh_terms: D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D006776:Hospitals, Pediatric; D006801:Humans; D008508:Medication Errors / Q000517:prevention & control*; D019982:Organizational Case Studies; D010595:Pharmacists; D010607:Pharmacy Service, Hospital; D013781:Texas