Maja Schlünsen

Background: Multi-morbidity is associated with multiple medication use, which potentially increases the risk of adverse drug events. Pharmacist-led medication reviews have been introduced to meet these challenges. Aim: To evaluate the implementation of pharmacist-led medication reviews for older patients admitted to an orthopedic ward in terms of quality and safety from the perspectives of patients, hospital-based physicians, nurses, and healthcare assistants. Method: Patients (n=11) were interviewed, with the interviews having a reflexive thematic analysis using the hermeneutic approach, while healthcare-professionals’ (HCPs) (n=26) perspectives on pharmacist-led medication reviews were assessed using questionnaires. Results: The qualitative patient interviews revealed four themes: (1) Positive perception of pharmacists’ medication communication, (2) Mixed perceptions of a medication review, (3) Satisfaction with the general outcome of the medication review, and (4) Safety perception with medication treatment. Twenty-six HCPs completed the questionnaire (response rate 48%) with a distribution of 10 hospital-based physicians (38%), eight nurses (31%), and eight healthcare assistants (31%). Almost 85% of the HCPs (n = 22) were familiar with the pharmacist conducting medication reviews. More than 70% of the HCPs reported that pharmacist-led medication reviews contributed to increased quality of admitted patients’ medication use. Conclusion: High levels of satisfaction with the outcomes of the medication reviews—particularly regarding quality, patient safety, and their overall positive impact on the ward—indicate that both patients and HCPs perceived the service as highly valuable in supporting patient care throughout the medication process.

Patients’ safety can be compromised in the transition of care between healthcare sectors. Optimal information flow across healthcare sectors and individualized medication treatment tailored to each patient is vital to prevent adverse events like drug-related problems. When medication changes are made during hospitalization, it is essential to ensure that the relevant general practitioner (GP) is included in the communication chain. This randomized controlled trial examines the effect of a Medication Coordinator who facilitates medication reviews in close collaboration with patients using My Medication Plan. Patients in the intervention group receive the medication review in combination with including suggested medication amendments documented in their electronic discharge letter send, which is sent to their GP. The patients randomized to the control group receive standard care by the ward staff. Seventy patients from the Endocrinology and Nephrology Unit at the Hospital Sønderjylland will be included in the intervention and control groups, respectively. The primary outcome is the proportion of potentially inappropriate medications. Secondary outcomes include patient-reported outcomes, i.e., quality of life and medication burden. Additional outcomes include the patient’s medication risk score, whether the patient is readmitted, and whether the patient has contacted the staff at the hospital unit after the hospital discharge. The framework for complex intervention is applied, because it allows flexibility and adaption in meeting patients’ needs by implementing tailored, possibly complex interventions in different healthcare settings. This project will examine a particular piece in the puzzle of the complexity of conducting a medication review and communication of suggested medication amendments to the patients, healthcare at the hospital, and the GP. Hopefully, this can contribute to a reduction in the risk of potentially inappropriate post-hospital medication usage. Trial registration: The study has been registered at ClinicalTrial.gov with the registration number: NCT06383364. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06383364.

Background: This study aims to evaluate medication dispensing by pharmacy technicians at a geriatric inpatient ward at a Danish hospital. Methods: Four pharmacy technicians were trained in delivering a dispensing service at a geriatric ward. At baseline, the ward nurses recorded the time spent dispensing the medication and the number of interruptions. Similar recordings were completed twice during the period in which the pharmacy technicians delivered the dispensing service. Satisfaction among the ward staff with the dispensing service was assessed by a questionnaire. Reported medication errors were collected during the dispensing service period and compared to a similar time period during the previous two years. Results: The time spent on dispensing medications was on average reduced with 1.4 h per day ranging from 4.7 to 3.3 h per day when the pharmacy technicians performed the service. Interruptions during the dispensing process decreased from a daily average of more than 19 times to an average of 2–3 per day. The nursing staff reported positive feedback on the medication dispensing service provided, especially about easing their workload. There was a tendency toward decreased reporting of medication errors. Conclusion: The medication dispensing service performed by the pharmacy technicians reduced time spent on dispensing medication and increased patient safety by reducing interruptions during the process and decreasing the number of medication errors reported.