Pharmaceutical Services to Improve Drug Therapy for Home Health Care Patients

Abstract

A 12-month study was conducted with a home health care service agency based at a rural community hospital to identify specific problems associated with drug therapy of home health patients and to evaluate the contributions made by the pharmacist to patients' drug therapy. The majority of those served by the agency were geriatric patients-and had multiple chronic diagnoses. The following services were provided by the pharmacist to patients and staff: (1) maintenance and surveillance of comprehensive patient medication profiles, (2) attendarice at daily multidisciplinary conferences where therapy and progress of patients were discussed, (3) recommendations oil drug therapy and (4) drug information. Information collected by the pharmacist in home interviews of 46 patients was evaluated. Analysis of subjective data revealed that, more than any other prescription drug categories, analgesics were overused while bronchodilators and antibiotics were upderused. Prior to the visit of the pharmacist, less than half of the patients, reported receiving oral information concerning their medications. Evaluations by attending physicians and nurses confirmed the need for continued pharmacist involvement with the home health service. As a result of the study, a role model is outlined for pharmacists serving home health care agencies.