Abstract: PO1139
The Implementation of a Clinical Pharmacist in a Hemodialysis Center
Session Information
- Hemodialysis and Frequent Dialysis - 3
October 22, 2020 | Location: On-Demand
Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Category: Dialysis
- 701 Dialysis: Hemodialysis and Frequent Dialysis
Author
- Daifi, Chantale, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, Michigan, United States
Background
Hemodialysis (HD) patients have complicated disease states placing them at a higher risk for drug related problems (DRPs), medication discrepancies, and non-adherence. The objective of the study is to evaluate the impact of a clinical pharmacist in a HD center by assessing the efficacy of medication reconciliation (MR) in HD patients and evaluating the potential impact on the health system.
Methods
This is a retrospective study conducted in Greenfield Health Systems, a division of Henry Ford Health System that operates 14 dialysis centers throughout southeast Michigan. West Pavilion outpatient dialysis clinic, one of the centers in Detroit, Michigan consisting of an interprofessional team. Patients included in the study had at minimum four visits from the clinical pharmacist or pharmacy interns from August 2017 to October 2018. Study aim was to evaluate the impact of a clinical pharmacist in a HD center by assessing the efficacy of MR in HD patients and evaluating the potential impact on the health system. Descriptive statistics were used to collect DRPs and classified based on the modified Hepler-Strand approach.
Results
A total of 1403 DRPs with an average of 8.94 DRPs per patient were found with an average number of 7 visits per patient. Adherence was the most common DRP (31%). The most common drug class the pharmacist made interventions on was for medications used to treat blood pressure (37%) followed by vitamin D analogs/calcimimetics (29%). A projected total of $447,355 was saved.
Conclusion
Pharmacists in HD clinics has a positive influence on HD patients through medication management and cost savings.