Orapun Sripathomsawatdi. Implementation and evaluation of pharmaceutical care service for outpatients at Ramathibodi Hospital. Master's Degree(Pharmacy Administration ). Mahidol University. Mahidol University Library and Knowledge Center. : Mahidol University, 2008.
Implementation and evaluation of pharmaceutical care service for outpatients at Ramathibodi Hospital
Abstract:
Pharmaceutical care service and refill medications are provided to the patients
at the Outpatient Pharmacy Department, Ramathibodi Hospital, for improving optimal
therapeutic outcomes and controlling expenses. The objective of this study was to
implement and evaluate pharmaceutical care service from May, 2007 to June 2008 by
using Donabedians (Structure-Process-Outcome) conceptualization. This study
procedure was divided into 4 phases: 1) project initiation; 2) preparation of structure
and process; 3) implementation; and 4) program assessment. Data were evaluated in
three dimensions as clinical, economic and humanistic outcomes.
In the preparation phase, structures such as work place, facilities, computers
and pharmacists, and processes had been adapted and applied to facilitate providing
pharmaceutical care service during the study period. During the implementation
phase, the one-year period between July, 2007 and June, 2008, the trend in
pharmaceutical care services increased continuously. A total of 3,616 encounters
comprised the refill clinic (79.18%), warfarin clinic (3.84%) and patient education
(16.98%). The pharmacists gave 3,345 refill prescriptions for 2,809 encounters. The
patients who returned to refill medications were 60.64%. Most warfarin patients
received a standardized educational package. Regarding clinical outcome, pharmacists
interviewed 293 patients to identify 112 drug therapy problems, most of which were
non-compliance (58.04%). The physician accepted recommendations (86.36%).
Economic outcome showed drug cost saving was 419,214.48 baht in the one-year
period and the benefit to cost ratio was 2.45:1. Humanistic outcome indicated 95.2%
of the respondents will recommend their friends and relations with problems or doubts
about medication receive pharmaceutical care service.
In conclusion, a pharmaceutical care service could reduce drug therapy
problems and save drugs cost. These results should be maintained, expanded, and used
to continually improve the service.