Pharm World Sci
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Comparative Study
Medication dispensing errors in a French military hospital pharmacy.
To determine the rate and the primary types of medication dispensing errors detected by pharmacists during implementation of a unit dose drug dispensing system. ⋯ The results showed that a wide range of errors occurred during the dispensing process. A check performed after the initial medication selection is also necessary to detect and correct dispensing errors. In order to decrease the occurrence of dispensing errors, some practical measures have been implemented in the central pharmacy. But because some dispensing errors may remain undetected, there is a requirement to develop other strategies that reduce or eliminate these errors. The pharmacy staff is widely involved in this duty.
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Comparative Study
The effect on medication errors of pharmacists charting medication in an emergency department.
To determine the frequency and clinical significance of medication errors when (a) pharmacists elicit medication histories in the Emergency Department after medications have been prescribed by doctors and (b) pharmacists obtain and chart medication histories prior to doctors' approval. ⋯ This study provides evidence for pharmacists eliciting medication histories to prepare medication charts at the earliest possible opportunity following a patient's presentation to the Emergency Department.
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Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Comparison of two types of TPN prescription methods in preterm neonates.
Total parenteral nutrition is commonly used in neonates' intensive care units for nutritional support of preterm neonates. Adequacy and safety of parenteral nutrition support are amongst the major concerns of neonates' therapy. Parenteral nutrition prescription in Greek hospitals is not based on standardized protocols, thus resulting in wide diversity of formulations. In this study, the results of utilization of standardized computerized parenteral nutrition protocols and regimens for neonates are compared to the results of protocols and regimens prescribed by individual neonatologists on neonates' outcome (weight changes, adequacy of parenteral nutrition, days of hospitalization, clinical outcome). ⋯ The use of standardized protocols in preterm neonates resulted in more adequate provision of nutrients, weight gain and better blood count profile compared with protocols prescribed by individual physicians.
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In Australia, accredited pharmacists perform medication reviews for patients to identify and resolve drug-related problems. We analysed the drug-related problems identified in reviews for both home-dwelling and residential care-facility patients. The objective of this study was to examine the number and nature of the drug-related problems identified and investigate differences between each type of review. ⋯ These data illustrate the prevalence of drug-related problems and the ability of pharmacists to identify these problems in the Australian models of medication review. The nature and frequency of problems varied between reviews for home-dwelling and care-facility patients. Such information may be used to better focus the training of practitioners based on the most frequently encountered health problems and the nature of common drug-related problems in the two settings.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Evaluation of a training and communication-network nephrology program for community pharmacists.
To assess the feasibility and impact of implementing ProFiL program to optimize community-pharmacist management of drug-related problems among chronic kidney disease patients followed in a predialysis clinic. The program comprises a training workshop, communication-network program and consultation service. ⋯ The results of this pilot study suggest that ProFiL can be implemented and may help community pharmacists intervene more frequently to manage drug-related problems. However, a larger-scale study with longer follow-up is necessary to evaluate the impact of the program on management of drug-related problems and its clinical relevance.