Pharmacist recommendations in an intensive care unit: three-year clinical activities.
OBJECTIVE
To analyze the clinical activities performed and the accepted pharmacist recommendations made by a pharmacist as a part of his/her daily routine in an adult clinical intensive care unit over a period of three years.


METHODS
A cross-sectional, descriptive, and exploratory study was conducted at a tertiary university hospital from June 2010 to May 2013, in which pharmacist recommendations were categorized and analyzed.


RESULTS
A total of 834 pharmacist recommendations (278 per year, on average) were analyzed and distributed across 21 categories. The recommendations were mainly made to physicians (n = 699; 83.8%) and concerned management of dilutions (n = 120; 14.4%), dose adjustment (n = 100; 12.0%), and adverse drug reactions (n = 91; 10.9%). A comparison per period demonstrated an increase in pharmacist recommendations with larger clinical content and a reduction of recommendations related to logistic aspects, such as drug supply, over time. The recommendations concerned 948 medications, particularly including systemic anti-infectious agents.


CONCLUSIONS
The role that the pharmacist played in the intensive care unit of the institution where the study was performed evolved, shifting from reactive actions related to logistic aspects to effective clinical participation with the multi-professional staff (proactive actions).
Universidade Federal do Ceará, Hospital Universitário Walter Cantídio, Fortaleza, CE, Brasil.
Giovanni Montini Andrade
GM
Fideles
Universidade Federal do Ceará, Hospital Universitário Walter Cantídio, Fortaleza, CE, Brasil.
José Martins
JM
de Alcântara-Neto
Universidade Federal do Ceará, Hospital Universitário Walter Cantídio, Fortaleza, CE, Brasil.
Arnaldo Aires
AA
Peixoto Júnior
Universidade Federal do Ceará, Hospital Universitário Walter Cantídio, Fortaleza, CE, Brasil.
Paulo José
PJ
de Souza-Neto
Universidade Federal do Ceará, Hospital Universitário Walter Cantídio, Fortaleza, CE, Brasil.
Taís Luana
TL
Tonete
Universidade Federal do Ceará, Hospital Universitário Walter Cantídio, Fortaleza, CE, Brasil.
José Eduardo Gomes
JE
da Silva
Universidade Federal do Ceará, Hospital Universitário Walter Cantídio, Fortaleza, CE, Brasil.
Eugenie Desirèe Rabelo
ED
Neri
D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions / Q000517:prevention & control; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010595:Pharmacists / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010607:Pharmacy Service, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration*; D024382:Professional Role
D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations