A new approach to delivering drug information to the physician through a pharmacy consultation program.

Abstract

After establishment and initial operation of a Drug Information Center at Mercy Hospital, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the need for a more -positive and active role for the pharmacist in communicating drug information to the physician became apparent. Initiation of a, pharmacy consultation program placed the pharmacist in the role of providing, point-of-use information to the physician. The clinical pharmacist follows each patient from admission, to discharge. The medication history as recorded by the pharmacist represents a valuable contribution as it is generally more complete and precise than the corresponding data in the physician’s history. Examples illustrating the value of the medication history to the physician are given. During the patient’s hospital stay, the pharmacist brings a new perspective and fund of information to the bedside. "Various forms involved in collecting pertinent data from the patient’s chart are presented. Information which the pharmacist feels is pertinent to each case is brought to the physician’s attention via a Drug Information Communication Sheet in the patient’s chart. Several cases of physician-pharmacist communication are presented and discussed. The reaction of the medical staff to the program has been favorable as evidenced by requests for consultations from physicians not involved in the program; an increase in-physician-pharmacist communication, to the betterment of patient care, has been realized. The educational benefits to the pharmacist are many since the program poses a challenge to view the patient’s drug therapy in relation to laboratory, radiological and physical diagnosis, the patient’s symptoms and disease and prognosis. To be useful, the information must be both positive and appropriate in the total context ‘of the case. If the pharmacist is to provide the- type of service described, a more extensive .exposure and clinical orientation is needed in pharmacy educational programs. He must also acquire sensitivity, and tact in- communicating with other health professionals.