European journal of emergency medicine : official journal of the European Society for Emergency Medicine
-
The emergency department (ED) is a high-risk setting for the occurrence of medication discrepancies (MDs) due to inconsistencies between real and documented chronic medication therapies. A clinical pharmacist (CP) improves medication safety by performing a structured medication reconciliation on ED admission. The main objective was to identify the frequency and type of MDs in the chronic medication therapy by comparing the medication displayed in the home medication module of the electronic medical record and in the genereal practitioner's (GP) referral letter with the best possible medication history by performing a structured medication reconciliation on ED admission. ⋯ Main MDs were omissions (39.9%), deviant frequencies (35.3%) and doses (16.7%). A CP, integrated in a multidisciplinary ED team, enhances medication safety by intercepting MDs on ED admission. Few patients possess a GP's referral letter containing their chronic medication therapy and when they do, the accuracy and completeness are poor.
-
Comment Letter
Validation of the CaTUS cardiothoracic ultrasound protocol.