摘要:

A three‐month study in a suburban health centre pharmacy investigated whether a clinical pharmacy service could be carried out in the community setting. Each week, all the prescriptions from the three general practitioners in one of the health centre's six practices were monitored. After referral to the patients' medical notes, the pharmacist identified the prescriptions that required discussion with the prescriber. The outcome of these prescription interventions was recorded. A one‐month follow up study was carried out after the initial study period. Level 3 PACT data were consulted to establish changes in prescribing patterns and cost savings. During the three‐month study period, 5,162 items were monitored. A total of 354 interventions were made, of which 216 (61 per cent) were accepted by the doctors and resulted in the prescription being changed. During the follow‐up study, 2,462 items were monitored and 82 interventions made.The most important outcomes of the study were that the service encouraged discussion between the pharmacist and GPs about clinical problems, and that it provided an opportunity for pharmaceutical skills positively to influence patient care. All three GPs said they would like to see the clinical service provided on a long term basis and thought it should be funded by the local family health services authority. There was also a fall in costs, although this was not analysed statistically; the practice's prescribing costs were 9 per cent below the local FHSA average for the study period and 8 per cent below the FHSA average the following quarter. Prior to the study they had been 2 per cent above the local FHSA

ISSN:0961-7671    

DOI:10.1111/j.2042-7174.1995.tb00800.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1995

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

Elderly patients frequently fail to achieve or to retain a competent inhaler technique using a conventional metered dose inhaler. In a prospective, randomised, crossover study of 44 subjects aged 64–94 (mean 78) years, we compared a metered dose inhaler (MDI) with a breath actuated inhaler (BAI) in terms of inhaler technique, ease of teaching and patient acceptability. Patients were stratified according to physical, functional or cognitive impairment before randomisation. Structured tuition was provided at the start of treatments, and technique was graded weekly and retaught if deficient. At the start of the treatment periods satisfactory technique was observed in 14 of 35 patients (six impaired, eight unimpaired) using the MDI and in 14 of 35 patients (three impaired, 11 unimpaired) using the BAI (P= 1.0). At the end of the four‐week treatment periods satisfactory technique was observed in 19 of 30 patients (seven impaired, 12 unimpaired) using the MDI and in 27 patients (11 impaired, 16 unimpaired) using the BAI (P= 0.01). Mean weekly teaching times (minutes) were similar (MDI 7.0, BAI 6.5,P= 0.41) and there was no difference in terms of patient acceptability (P= 0.38). A breath actuated inhaler may be the preferred device for elderly patients as a greater proportion were able to retain satisfactory inhaler techni

ISSN:0961-7671    

DOI:10.1111/j.2042-7174.1995.tb00801.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1995

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

Face to face interviews with consumers at shopping mails in Houston, Texas, sought to evaluate the helpfulness of nine risk reduction methods for self‐treatment of three selected health problems (minor eye problems, overweight, and indigestion). Professional advice provided by pharmacists and loyalty to a brand used previously were rated as the two most helpful methods for self‐treatment of all three health problems. There were no significant differences found in the evaluation of the nine risk reduction methods across any demographic factors for either overweight or indigestion. For minor eye problems, respondents who were separated, divorced or widowed rated the “shopping‐around” and comparing brands more helpful than did those who were engaged. Those who had self‐treating experience with overweight and indigestion rated brand loyalty more helpful than those who did not have any self‐treating experience.Overall, professional advice provided by pharmacists was rated as the most favourable risk reduction method for self‐treatment for all three selected health problems. Consumers' self‐treating experience may have an impact on their evaluation of the risk

ISSN:0961-7671    

DOI:10.1111/j.2042-7174.1995.tb00802.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1995

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

Ward pharmacy services are widely provided in hospitals throughout the United Kingdom. The objective of this study was to compare the efficiency of once daily with twice daily ward visits. Over a two week period, eight matched wards — four providing a twice daily service and four a once daily service — were assessed in three areas: time taken to provide the service, clinical pharmacy activity, and supply of non‐stock items. A total of 120 ward pharmacy visits occurred during the 10 day study period. The mean total daily ward visit time was 55 minutes in the twice daily group compared with 40 minutes in the once daily group, a difference of 15 ± 7.6 minutes/ward/day. Pharmacists in the once daily group spent 52 per cent of time on clinical pharmacy activities and recorded 169 prescription monitoring incidents (PMIs). In comparison, pharmacists in the twice daily group spent proportionally less time on clinical pharmacy activities (42 per cent) and recorded significantly fewer PMIs (107). The proportion of non‐stock items originating from the ward pharmacy service was similar in both groups. This study found a once daily ward pharmacy service more efficient than a twice daily service, saving an average of 15 minutes/

ISSN:0961-7671    

DOI:10.1111/j.2042-7174.1995.tb00803.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1995

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

Book reviewed in this article:Social pharmacy:‘Social pharmacy: innovation and development’, edited by Geoff Harding, Sarah Nettle ton and Kevin TaylorLiterature evaluation:‘Principles of drug information and scientific literature evaluation’, by Frank J. Ascione, Carol Colvin Manifold and Mary A.

ISSN:0961-7671    

DOI:10.1111/j.2042-7174.1995.tb00804.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1995

数据来源: WILEY