Hospital Pharmacist
2006;13:387
December 2006

News summary

Lives can be saved by investing in clinical pharmacy services

Patients who receive a high level of care from clinical pharmacy staff during a hospital stay are less likely to die. This is according to research presented by David Webb, London, Eastern and South East Specialist Pharmacy Services, at the United Kingdom Clinical Pharmacy Association symposium held in Leicestershire last month.

Mr Webb and colleagues reached this conclusion by correlating hospital standardised mortality ratings (HSMRs) with the scores that trusts received for various clinical pharmacy-related key performance indicators (KPIs). Data from almost 50 trusts were analysed. The results showed that HSMRs were lower in trusts where a higher percentage of patients:

• Had their medication history taken by a member of pharmacy staff within 24h of admission

• Had any changes to their medication regimen reviewed by a clinical pharmacist within 24h of the change being made

• Had a clinical pharmacist’s review recorded in their notes

• Received medication counselling by pharmacy staff before discharge

HSMRs were negatively correlated with the number of pharmacy staff employed (expressed as whole time equivalents). There was also a positive correlation between the number of pharmacy staff employed and the trusts KPI score, particularly for those trusts who had high scores. Mr Webb explained that, although other factors in addition to the level of clinical pharmacy services clearly have an impact on HSMRs, the findings should prove useful in promoting the work of pharmacy staff at times when budget constraints are affecting the NHS.

Mr Webb was presented with the Hameln award for the best oral presentation.