Pharmaceutical care in oncology pharmacy practice: A method for using outcome indicators

Abstract

A method is discussed for design and implementation of a set of toxicity outcome indicators, linked to each chemotherapy protocol ordered for routine patient care. Pharmacists, as integral members of the systemic treatment team, participate in the monitoring of patient toxicities to chemotherapy, and the treatment and/or prevention of adverse effects. Rating scales vary from protocol to protocol, depending on the drugs in each specific protocol, and the unique toxicities associated with that combination of agents. Both objective and subjective toxicities are measured and monitored in a standardized format. Aside from assisting in the care of individual patients, these toxicity ratings may also be analyzed for various administrative purposes, including quality audit and planning of future services (including pharmaceutical care pro grams), and may be used for population-based descriptive research.