Medication Utilisation Program, Quality Improvement and Research Pharmacist—Implementation Strategies and Preliminary Findings
Judicious use of medicines that considers evidence-based practice, together with cost-effectiveness, is a priority for all health care organisations. We describe an initiative to lead a Medication Utilisation Program, incorporating medication quality improvement and research activities. In August 20...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2021-11-01
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| Series: | Pharmacy |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2226-4787/9/4/182 |
| _version_ | 1797501478671220736 |
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| author | Karen Whitfield Ian Coombes Charles Denaro Peter Donovan |
| author_facet | Karen Whitfield Ian Coombes Charles Denaro Peter Donovan |
| author_sort | Karen Whitfield |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Judicious use of medicines that considers evidence-based practice, together with cost-effectiveness, is a priority for all health care organisations. We describe an initiative to lead a Medication Utilisation Program, incorporating medication quality improvement and research activities. In August 2020 an advanced pharmacist position was implemented to lead the Program. The purpose was to provide oversight and facilitate initiatives promoting medication optimisation to create sustainable change in practice. A strategic plan was developed with key performance indicators. A governance structure was implemented with relevant reporting mechanisms. Strategic planning and collaboration with medical, nursing and allied health professionals has seen the successful implementation of seven codesigned medication-use evaluations and eight quality improvement projects centred around patient safety, quality and value-based care. Several research studies have been designed with subsequent commencement of pharmacists enrolled in university Research Higher Degree programs. Cost containment initiatives have realised potential savings approximating AUD 250,000. Educational programs included protocol design, ethics approvals and report writing. Key success criteria for a Medication Utilisation Program include dedicated pharmacist resources, structured governance and reporting mechanisms. Alignment of study complexity with staff experience and interdisciplinary collaboration are also critical. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T03:18:59Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-f831232efe614e1c98ed4bf834e7cb39 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2226-4787 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T03:18:59Z |
| publishDate | 2021-11-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Pharmacy |
| spelling | doaj.art-f831232efe614e1c98ed4bf834e7cb392023-11-23T10:07:41ZengMDPI AGPharmacy2226-47872021-11-019418210.3390/pharmacy9040182Medication Utilisation Program, Quality Improvement and Research Pharmacist—Implementation Strategies and Preliminary FindingsKaren Whitfield0Ian Coombes1Charles Denaro2Peter Donovan3Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, Butterfield Street Herston, Brisbane, QLD 4029, AustraliaSchool of Pharmacy, University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Brisbane, QLD 4102, AustraliaDepartment of Internal Medicine & Aged Care, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, Butterfield Street Herston, Brisbane, QLD 4029, AustraliaDepartment of Clinical Pharmacology, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, Butterfield Street Herston, Brisbane, QLD 4029, AustraliaJudicious use of medicines that considers evidence-based practice, together with cost-effectiveness, is a priority for all health care organisations. We describe an initiative to lead a Medication Utilisation Program, incorporating medication quality improvement and research activities. In August 2020 an advanced pharmacist position was implemented to lead the Program. The purpose was to provide oversight and facilitate initiatives promoting medication optimisation to create sustainable change in practice. A strategic plan was developed with key performance indicators. A governance structure was implemented with relevant reporting mechanisms. Strategic planning and collaboration with medical, nursing and allied health professionals has seen the successful implementation of seven codesigned medication-use evaluations and eight quality improvement projects centred around patient safety, quality and value-based care. Several research studies have been designed with subsequent commencement of pharmacists enrolled in university Research Higher Degree programs. Cost containment initiatives have realised potential savings approximating AUD 250,000. Educational programs included protocol design, ethics approvals and report writing. Key success criteria for a Medication Utilisation Program include dedicated pharmacist resources, structured governance and reporting mechanisms. Alignment of study complexity with staff experience and interdisciplinary collaboration are also critical.https://www.mdpi.com/2226-4787/9/4/182medication utilisation programmedication optimisationpharmacistclinical pharmacologymedication quality improvementmedication research |
| spellingShingle | Karen Whitfield Ian Coombes Charles Denaro Peter Donovan Medication Utilisation Program, Quality Improvement and Research Pharmacist—Implementation Strategies and Preliminary Findings Pharmacy medication utilisation program medication optimisation pharmacist clinical pharmacology medication quality improvement medication research |
| title | Medication Utilisation Program, Quality Improvement and Research Pharmacist—Implementation Strategies and Preliminary Findings |
| title_full | Medication Utilisation Program, Quality Improvement and Research Pharmacist—Implementation Strategies and Preliminary Findings |
| title_fullStr | Medication Utilisation Program, Quality Improvement and Research Pharmacist—Implementation Strategies and Preliminary Findings |
| title_full_unstemmed | Medication Utilisation Program, Quality Improvement and Research Pharmacist—Implementation Strategies and Preliminary Findings |
| title_short | Medication Utilisation Program, Quality Improvement and Research Pharmacist—Implementation Strategies and Preliminary Findings |
| title_sort | medication utilisation program quality improvement and research pharmacist implementation strategies and preliminary findings |
| topic | medication utilisation program medication optimisation pharmacist clinical pharmacology medication quality improvement medication research |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2226-4787/9/4/182 |
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