DI-049 Pharmacist's interventions to improve drug supply and parentsí knowledge at paediatric hospital discharge. (24th February 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kaestli, LZ; Chalier, S; Gervaix, A; Noble, S; Lacroix, L; Galetto, A; Forni, JL; Fonzo-Christe, C; Bonnabry, P
• Is Part Of: European journal of hospital pharmacy. Volume 21(2014)Supplement 1
• Page Start: A90
• Page End: A90
• Publication Date: 2014-02-24
• Subjects: Pharmacy -- Periodicals; Hospital pharmacies -- Periodicals; 615.1
• DOI: 10.1136/ejhpharm-2013-000436.220
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2047-9956

Abstract

Abstract : Background: Discharging paediatric patients from hospital is a complex process that can lead to non-compliance and medicines-related problems. Crucial issues are drug supply in community pharmacies and patients' knowledge of treatments. An intervention by a pharmacist at the time of hospital discharge may improve continuity of care. Purpose: Phase A: To quantify problems of drug supply and parents' knowledge of the prescribed treatment at paediatric hospital discharge. Phase B: To implement and assess a targeted intervention by a pharmacist before discharge. Materials and methods: French-speaking paediatric patients (<16 years) discharged from paediatric emergency department (ED) and medical ward (MED) were included before (ED:05/10–06/10; MED:11/10–12/11) and after (ED:03/13–04/13; MED:11/12–04/13) the implementation of a pharmacist's interventions based on phase A results. A semi-structured phone interview of parents was performed within 72 h after discharge to evaluate drug supply and parental correct knowledge of treatment (dose, frequency, duration, indication). Results: 233 parents were interviewed (phase A:40 MED;56 ED; phase B:68 MED;69 ED). Phase A: Parents of MED patients were provided with the complete list of prescribed medicines less frequently than those of ED patients (70.0% vs. 83.9%). Parental knowledge was higher in MED than in ED (mean score: 84.6% vs. 56.2%). Phase B: design and set up of pharmacist's interventions: 1) ED: customised drug information leaflets offered to and discussed with parents 2) MED: standardised treatment cards offered to and discussed with parents, community pharmacy called to ensure drug storage and provision of drugs when needed. After intervention, parental knowledge was significantly improved both in ED patients (dose: 62.3% to 89.1%; frequency: 57.9% to 85.5%; duration: 34.2% to 66.7%; indication: 70.2% to 94.9%; p < 0.0001) and in MED patients (dose: 88.7% to 95.2% p = 0.05/frequency 86.1% to 97.1%; duration: 74.8% to 92.8%; indication: 88.7% to 97.6%; p < 0.05). The supply of drugs was not affected in either MED or ED patients (respectively 70% to 64.2% p = 0.67 and 83.9% to 76.5% p = 0.37) and calling the community pharmacy made no difference (63.2% vs. 64.3% p = 0.80). Conclusions: Provision and discussion of customised information leaflets concerning treatment enhanced parental knowledge of treatment at the time of hospital discharge. Since calling the community pharmacy had no effect on drug supply after hospital discharge, further studies should be conducted to identify more effective strategies to improve the availability of drugs. No conflict of interest.