Medication Reconciliation Using Pharmacy Techs in the ED
Medication Reconciliation Using Pharmacy Techs in the ED
In this prospective study conducted in a large academic medical center, medication reconciliation by pharmacy technicians in the ED did not result in a significant reduction in unjustified medication discrepancies on admission. Likewise, errors that did occur were of no lower severity. Our findings suggest that medication reconciliation by pharmacy technicians in the ED may not improve patient safety compared to medication reconciliation by the admitting physician team. However, this is a relatively small study using preliminary data, and it is unknown how pharmacy technicians might improve or streamline the medication reconciliation process in other valuable ways, such as by saving time for the admitting team. More research is needed into the role of pharmacy technicians in error reduction and systems strengthening before policy decisions are made regarding their utility in the ED.
Conclusions
In this prospective study conducted in a large academic medical center, medication reconciliation by pharmacy technicians in the ED did not result in a significant reduction in unjustified medication discrepancies on admission. Likewise, errors that did occur were of no lower severity. Our findings suggest that medication reconciliation by pharmacy technicians in the ED may not improve patient safety compared to medication reconciliation by the admitting physician team. However, this is a relatively small study using preliminary data, and it is unknown how pharmacy technicians might improve or streamline the medication reconciliation process in other valuable ways, such as by saving time for the admitting team. More research is needed into the role of pharmacy technicians in error reduction and systems strengthening before policy decisions are made regarding their utility in the ED.
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