Drug Formulary Review Archives – February 1, 2009
February 1, 2009
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Pharmacists need to be involved in a pain management team
Hospitals need a pharmacist who specializes in pain management on board, although this model hasn't taken off as a trend as quickly as many experts in the field believe it should. -
Health system's pain management model has safety, service advantages
Hospitals could improve the overall care of patients who are admitted for surgery, palliative care, or for diseases that result in chronic pain if they employ a pharmacist to assist with medication utilization and develop defined medication plans for the more complex cases, an expert suggests. -
Experts discuss complex issues related to hospital pain management
Hospitals that have pain management teams with pharmacists on board benefit from having a medication specialist help improve safety and improve patient outcomes, experts say. -
Hospital pharmacists can take lead in providing pain medicine guidance
Clinical pharmacists have many skills that would be of great use on hospital pain management teams, including conducting thorough medication histories and doing medication reconciliation. -
Researchers find differences in outcomes, costs among diagnoses
Investigators have found that patients who are admitted to hospitals with heart failure as a secondary diagnosis often had a worse prognosis than those for whom heart failure was the primary diagnosis. -
Software Strategies: Implement strategies to improve dispensing safety
Most hospitals, large and small, have medication dispensing cabinets. But the question is: Are you using these devices to maximize their safety potential?