Improving rural hospital clinical pharmacy services through workforce innovation with ward‐based pharmacy technicians

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Abstract
Australian regional hospitals regularly face significant challenges in the recruitment and retainment of clinical pharmacists. An audit conducted at a regional hospital in Southern New South Wales (NSW) demonstrated that 79% of patients did not receive clinical pharmacy services during their admission. It was recognised that there was an urgent need for innovation within the current workforce. The ward‐based pharmacy technician (WBPT) model was implemented by establishing a 14‐day training program with subsequent assessment by clinical pharmacists. WBPTs undertook activities including assisting clinical pharmacists in compiling medication histories and participating in ward‐specific medication safety audits. An audit of comparison indicators before and after implementation demonstrated significant improvements in all comparative measures. Implementation of WBPTs in this regional hospital has demonstrated improved workflow for the clinical pharmacist, and contributed to patient and medication safety via increased completion rates of medication reconciliation.