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Lee S, Skains RM, Magidson PD, Qadoura N, Liu SW, Southerland LT. Enhancing healthcare access for an older population: The age-friendly emergency department. J Am Coll Emerg Physicians Open 2024; 5:e13182. [PMID: 38726466 PMCID: PMC11079440 DOI: 10.1002/emp2.13182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Healthcare systems face significant challenges in meeting the unique needs of older adults, particularly in the acute setting. Age-friendly healthcare is a comprehensive approach using the 4Ms framework-what matters, medications, mentation, and mobility-to ensure that healthcare settings are responsive to the needs of older patients. The Age-Friendly Emergency Department (AFED) is a crucial component of a holistic age-friendly health system. Our objective is to provide an overview of the AFED model, its core principles, and the benefits to older adults and healthcare clinicians. The AFED optimizes the delivery of emergency care by integrating age-specific considerations into various aspects of (1) ED physical infrastructure, (2) clinical care policies, and (3) care transitions. Physical infrastructure incorporates environmental modifications to enhance patient safety, including adequate lighting, nonslip flooring, and devices for sensory and ambulatory impairment. Clinical care policies address the physiological, cognitive, and psychosocial needs of older adults while preserving focus on emergency issues. Care transitions include communication and involving community partners and case management services. The AFED prioritizes collaboration between interdisciplinary team members (ED clinicians, geriatric specialists, nurses, physical/occupational therapists, and social workers). By adopting an age-friendly approach, EDs have the potential to improve patient-centered outcomes, reduce adverse events and hospitalizations, and enhance functional recovery. Moreover, healthcare clinicians benefit from the AFED model through increased satisfaction, multidisciplinary support, and enhanced training in geriatric care. Policymakers, healthcare administrators, and clinicians must collaborate to standardize guidelines, address barriers to AFEDs, and promote the adoption of age-friendly practices in the ED.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sangil Lee
- Department of Emergency MedicineUniversity of Iowa Carver College of MedicineIowa CityIowaUSA
| | - Rachel M. Skains
- University of Alabama at BirminghamBirminghamAlabamaUSA
- Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical CenterBirmingham VA Medical CenterBirminghamAlabamaUSA
| | | | - Nadine Qadoura
- Department of Emergency MedicineUniversity of Iowa Carver College of MedicineIowa CityIowaUSA
| | - Shan W. Liu
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
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Johnsgård T, Elenjord R, Holis RV, Waaseth M, Zahl-Holmstad B, Fagerli M, Svendsen K, Lehnbom EC, Ofstad EH, Risør T, Garcia BH. How much time do emergency department physicians spend on medication-related tasks? A time- and-motion study. BMC Emerg Med 2024; 24:56. [PMID: 38594615 PMCID: PMC11003058 DOI: 10.1186/s12873-024-00974-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Medication-related problems are an important cause of emergency department (ED) visits, and medication errors are reported in up to 60% of ED patients. Procedures such as medication reconciliation and medication review can identify and prevent medication-related problems and medication errors. However, this work is often time-consuming. In EDs without pharmacists, medication reconciliation is the physician's responsibility, in addition to the primary assignments of examining and diagnosing the patient. The aim of this study was to identify how much time ED physicians spend on medication-related tasks when no pharmacists are present in the EDs. METHODS An observational time-and-motion study of physicians in three EDs in Northern Norway was conducted using Work Observation Method by Activity Timing (WOMBAT) to collect and time-stamp data. Observations were conducted in predefined two-hour observation sessions with a 1:1 relationship between observer and participant, during Monday to Friday between 8 am and 8 pm, from November 2020 to October 2021. RESULTS In total, 386 h of observations were collected during 225 observation sessions. A total of 8.7% of the physicians' work time was spent on medication-related tasks, of which most time was spent on oral communication about medications with other physicians (3.0%) and medication-related documentation (3.2%). Physicians spent 2.2 min per hour on medication reconciliation tasks, which includes retrieving medication-related information directly from the patient, reading/retrieving written medication-related information, and medication-related documentation. Physicians spent 85.6% of the observed time on non-medication-related clinical or administrative tasks, and the remaining time was spent standby or moving between tasks. CONCLUSION In three Norwegian EDs, physicians spent 8.7% of their work time on medication-related tasks, and 85.6% on other clinical or administrative tasks. Physicians spent 2.2 min per hour on tasks related to medication reconciliation. We worry that patient safety related tasks in the EDs receive little attention. Allocating dedicated resources like pharmacists to contribute with medication-related tasks could benefit both physicians and patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tine Johnsgård
- Hospital Pharmacy of North Norway Trust, Tromsø, Norway.
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT the Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway.
| | - Renate Elenjord
- Hospital Pharmacy of North Norway Trust, Tromsø, Norway
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT the Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | | | - Marit Waaseth
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT the Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Birgitte Zahl-Holmstad
- Hospital Pharmacy of North Norway Trust, Tromsø, Norway
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT the Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Marie Fagerli
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT the Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Kristian Svendsen
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT the Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Elin Christina Lehnbom
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT the Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Eirik Hugaas Ofstad
- Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT the Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
- Department of Medicine, Nordland Hospital Trust, Bodø, Norway
| | - Torsten Risør
- Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT the Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Beate Hennie Garcia
- Hospital Pharmacy of North Norway Trust, Tromsø, Norway
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT the Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
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García González D, Teixeira-da-Silva P, Salvador Sánchez JJ, Sánchez Serrano JÁ, Calvo MV, Martín-Suárez A. Discrepancies in Electronic Medical Prescriptions Found in a Hospital Emergency Department: A Prospective Observational Study. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2024; 17:460. [PMID: 38675420 PMCID: PMC11054114 DOI: 10.3390/ph17040460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Revised: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The medication in an electronic prescribing system (EPS) does not always match the patient's actual medication. This prospective study analyzes the discrepancies (any inconsistency) between medication prescribed using an EPS and the medication revised by the clinical pharmacist upon admission to the observation area of the emergency department (ED). Adult patients with multimorbidity and/or polypharmacy were included. The pharmacist used multiple sources to obtain the revised medication list, including patient/carer interviews. A total of 1654 discrepancies were identified among 1131 patients. Of these patients, 64.5% had ≥1 discrepancy. The most common types of discrepancy were differences in posology (43.6%), commission (34.7%), and omission (20.9%). Analgesics (11.1%), psycholeptics (10.0%), and diuretics (8.9%) were the most affected. Furthermore, 52.5% of discrepancies affected medication that was high-alert for patients with chronic illnesses and 42.0% of medication involved withdrawal syndromes. Discrepancies increased with the number of drugs (ρ = 0.44, p < 0.01) and there was a difference between non-polypharmacy patients, polypharmacy ones and those with extreme polypharmacy (p < 0.01). Those aged over 75 years had a higher number of prescribed medications and discrepancies occurred more frequently compared with younger patients. The number of discrepancies was larger in women than in men. The EPS medication record requires verification from additional sources, including patient and/or carer interviews.
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Affiliation(s)
- David García González
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Department, Universidad de Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain; (M.V.C.); (A.M.-S.)
- Pharmacy Service, León University Healthcare Complex, 24008 Leon, Spain
- Institute of Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), 37007 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Paulo Teixeira-da-Silva
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Department, Universidad de Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain; (M.V.C.); (A.M.-S.)
- Institute of Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), 37007 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Juan José Salvador Sánchez
- Emergency Department, Salamanca University Healthcare Complex, 37007 Salamanca, Spain; (J.J.S.S.); (J.Á.S.S.)
| | - Jesús Ángel Sánchez Serrano
- Emergency Department, Salamanca University Healthcare Complex, 37007 Salamanca, Spain; (J.J.S.S.); (J.Á.S.S.)
| | - M. Victoria Calvo
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Department, Universidad de Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain; (M.V.C.); (A.M.-S.)
- Institute of Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), 37007 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Ana Martín-Suárez
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Department, Universidad de Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain; (M.V.C.); (A.M.-S.)
- Institute of Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), 37007 Salamanca, Spain
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Aharaz A, Kejser CL, Poulsen MW, Jeftic S, Ulstrup-Hansen AI, Jørgensen LM, Iversen E, Thorhauge AM, Houlind MB. Optimization of the Danish National Electronic Prescribing System to Improve Patient Safety: Development of a User-Friendly Prototype of the Digital Platform Shared Medication Record. PHARMACY 2023; 11:pharmacy11020041. [PMID: 36961019 PMCID: PMC10037631 DOI: 10.3390/pharmacy11020041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
This study uses a participatory design to develop a user-friendly prototype of the current Danish digital platform, Shared Medication Record (SMR), to improve patient safety and minimize medication errors for patients with multimorbidity. A fundamental challenge for medication prescribing is the lack of access to an accurate medication list, which impairs effective communication between healthcare professionals and increases the risk of medication errors. We used a participatory design to identify the major problems with the existing SMR and develop a prototype for a redesigned SMR that addresses these problems. We argue that this prototype will improve communication between healthcare providers, promote patient involvement in their own care, and ultimately reduce medication errors related to the SMR. Moreover, we argue that the participatory design with its emphasis on user involvement and design iterations is a strong approach when designing IT solutions for complex problems in healthcare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anissa Aharaz
- The Capital Region Pharmacy, 2730 Herlev, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Research, Copenhagen University Hospital-Amager and Hvidovre, 2650 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | | | - Sara Jeftic
- Department of Communication, University of Copenhagen, 2300 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Lillian Mørch Jørgensen
- Department of Clinical Research, Copenhagen University Hospital-Amager and Hvidovre, 2650 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Emergency Department, Copenhagen University Hospital-Amager and Hvidovre, Kettegård Alle 30, 2650 Hvidovre, Denmark
| | - Esben Iversen
- Department of Clinical Research, Copenhagen University Hospital-Amager and Hvidovre, 2650 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Morten Baltzer Houlind
- The Capital Region Pharmacy, 2730 Herlev, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Research, Copenhagen University Hospital-Amager and Hvidovre, 2650 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
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Lech LVJ, Rossing C, Andersen TRH, Nørgaard LS, Almarsdóttir AB. Developing a pharmacist-led intervention to provide transitional pharmaceutical care for hospital discharged patients: A collaboration between hospital and community pharmacists. EXPLORATORY RESEARCH IN CLINICAL AND SOCIAL PHARMACY 2022; 7:100177. [PMID: 36131887 PMCID: PMC9483769 DOI: 10.1016/j.rcsop.2022.100177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Revised: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Patients who transfer from the hospital back to the community are at risk of experiencing problems related to their medications. Hospital pharmacists (HPs) and community pharmacists (CPs) may play an important role and provide transitional pharmaceutical care in transition of care interventions. Objective To describe how a pharmacist-led intervention to provide transitional pharmaceutical care for hospital discharged patients was developed, utilizing already existing pharmacist interventions in the hospital and community pharmacy. Methods A mixed-method approach to intervention development was applied. Existing evidence was identified through a literature review of effective transitional care interventions and existing services in the hospital and community pharmacy. Focus group interviews and a workshop were carried out with HPs and CPs to identify their perceived facilitators and uncertainties in relation to intervention development. The final intervention and the expected outcomes were developed in an expert group workshop. Finally, the hospital part of the intervention was tested in a small-scale feasibility study to assess what type of information the HP would transfer to the CP for follow up. Results Five components were identified through the 209 systematic reviews: pharmacist-led medication reconciliation, pharmacist-led medication review, collaboration with general practitioners (GPs), post discharge pharmacist follow up and patient counseling or education. HPs and CPs identified uncertainties related to the relevance of the information sent from the HP to the CP, identification of patients at the community pharmacy and communication. The expected outcomes for the patients receiving the intervention were an experience of increased safety and satisfaction and less use of healthcare resources. The feasibility study led to optimization of language and structure of the pharmacist referrals that were used to transfer information from the HP to the CP. Conclusion A patient centered intervention to provide transitional pharmaceutical care for hospital discharged patients was developed using existing evidence in transition of care, HPs and CPs, an expert group, and a small-scale feasibility study. A full-scale feasibility test of the intervention should be carried out for it to be further refined.
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