Impact of Initiating Clinical Pharmacy Services in a Non-Academic Community Medical Center Emergency Department Setting

Purpose To determine the impact of implementing clinical pharmacy services in a nonacademic community medical center emergency department, evaluating the types of services established and potential cost avoidance associated with clinical pharmacist intervention data. Methods After initiation of clinical pharmacy services in an emergency department with one pharmacist, intervention data was collected for each shift between January 2014 and August 2014. Pharmacist intervention categories included code participation, medication recommendations, home medication reconciliation activities, provision of drug information to medical staff, expediting medication delivery, and patient encounters. Resulting intervention data were summarized, and probability of harm and cost avoidance data were applied. Results Initiating clinical pharmacy services in a nonacademic community medical center emergency department can a significant impact on patient care and demonstrates significant cost avoidance.