ASHP survey shows pharmacists are performing more medication-related care

According to an ASHP survey, pharmacists in hospitals across the U.S. are performing more medication-related patient transition of care interventions, 24/7 medication order review and patient medication counseling.

The ASHP National Survey of Pharmacy Practice in Hospital Settings: Dispensing and Administration—2014, which surveyed 1,435 pharmacy directors who work at general and children’s medical-surgical hospitals in the U.S., found that the use of smart pumps, barcode-assisted medication administration, computerized prescriber order entry systems and electronic health record systems also continues to grow in hospitals of all sizes.

“The significant growth in pharmacists’ medication-management services and the rise in the use of medication-use technology are positive trends contributing to increased patient safety and improved patient outcomes,” AJHP Editor-in-Chief Daniel J. Cobaugh said. “Pharmacists’ leadership has been critical to implementation of these services and safety measures in healthcare settings across the U.S.”

Additionally, pharmacists’ movement into more direct patient care roles joined with the widespread use of medication-use technology is improving efficiency, safety and clinical outcomes, according to the survey authors.

The survey also found that a number of hospital and health-system medication-use practices have improved noticeably since 2005.

Full results from the survey can be seen at www.ashp.org.