1. Clinical and economic effects of pharmacy services in geriatric ambulatory clinic.
- Author
-
Blakey SA and Hixson-Wallace JA
- Subjects
- Aged, Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions, Georgia, Humans, Psychotropic Drugs supply & distribution, Treatment Outcome, Ambulatory Care economics, Drug Utilization statistics & numerical data, Health Services for the Aged economics, Hospitals, Veterans economics, Pharmacy Service, Hospital economics
- Abstract
Pharmacy services were introduced in an established multidisciplinary geriatric ambulatory clinic. The pharmacist collaborated with primary care providers to optimize patients' drug regimens. Over 8 months there were 250 patient visits to the clinic. Traditional medical care was provided at 144 (57.6%) of these visits and traditional medical care plus pharmacist evaluation was provided at 106 (42.4%). The pharmacist identified 220 potential and actual drug-related problems. Acceptance of pharmacist-recommended changes in drug therapy was 98.6%. A mean reduction of 3.4 agents/patient was achieved in the intervention group (p<0.0001). Clinical outcomes of changes in drug therapy were neutral or positive in 99.5% of cases. Pharmacy services resulted in net savings of $7,788 annually.
- Published
- 2000
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