Kestin R, Howe A, Moose J, Marciniak MW, Rhodes LA. Impact of health information exchange access on medication management recommendations in a community-based pharmacy setting.
J Am Pharm Assoc (2003) 2024:102104. [PMID:
38663535 DOI:
10.1016/j.japh.2024.102104]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 08/06/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Community-based pharmacists have historically lacked access to electronic medical records and clinical markers. Research was needed to assess the impact of obtaining clinical markers from a health information exchange (HIE) on pharmacist recommendations during a medication management encounter.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this project was to quantify and characterize clinical recommendations by pharmacists, resident pharmacists, or student pharmacists within an independent pharmacy setting that had access to patient information via an HIE.
PRACTICE DESCRIPTION
Moose Pharmacy is one of few community pharmacies in North Carolina with access to a large health-system HIE.
PRACTICE INNOVATION
This cohort study reviewed data over 4 months. Patients were identified for medication management based on filling eligible medications for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, or heart disease. Pharmacy personnel used the HIE to acquire laboratory test results. At the medication management appointment, the pharmacist collected blood pressure (BP), assessed smoking history, and medication or disease concerns. ASCVD risk score, statin therapy, A1c, and BP were assessed. Follow-up with the patient or provider was determined, if needed, and documented.
EVALUATION METHODS
Collected records were reviewed to quantify the number and type of clinical recommendations made by the pharmacist, and their acceptance status by the prescriber. Descriptive analyses were used to analyze results.
RESULTS
Thirty-four encounters were included. Most participants had diabetes (n = 21, 62%) and hypertension (n = 31, 91%). Nearly one-third of encounters (n = 11, 32%) resulted in a pharmacist recommendation. Recommendations were for BP dose adjustments (n = 4, 36%), diabetes medication changes (n = 3, 27%), and statin initiations/escalations (n = 4, 36%). Four recommendations (36%) were accepted, with 1 requiring modifications from the provider; 3 recommendations (27%) were declined; and 3 recommendations (27%) were unanswered.
CONCLUSION
Access to progress notes and laboratory values using an HIE enhanced the pharmacist's ability to provide enhanced patient care recommendations during medication management consultations.
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