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Implementation of a pharmacist-initiated pharmaceutical handover for oncology and haematology patients being transferred to critical care units

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Abstract

Goals of work

An information gap with respect to specific therapies was identified when patients were transferred from the oncology and haematology unit (OHU) to the critical care units. The goal was to implement and evaluate the effectiveness of a pharmacist-initiated pharmaceutical handover (PIPH) for patients being transferred from the OHU to the critical care units at a major teaching hospital.

Patients and methods

A PIPH process for the specific therapies of mouthcare, chemotherapy regimen, growth factors and antibiotics was developed. The PIPH was delivered in written format or combined written and verbal format. The impact of the PIPH was by assessment of recorded clinical pharmacist interventions. Data were analysed to evaluate any difference in the number of interventions relating to and the time to administration of the specific therapies.

Main results

Data were available for 30 patient transfers in the pre-implementation group, with 22 transfers available in the post-implementation period. The number of interventions relating to the specific therapies was significantly reduced in the post-implementation group (144 vs 26; p < 0.0001). A significantly greater proportion of the specific therapies were administered on time in the post-implementation group (57% vs 96%; p < 0.0001).

Conclusions

Clinical pharmacists in the specialty area of oncology and haematology can improve the continuum of care when their patients are transferred to other units. By providing an accurate handover about specific therapies, there is an overall improvement in the prescribing and timely administration of these therapies.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Pharmacy Department, The Alfred Hospital, Commercial Road, Melbourne, 2004, Australia

    John Coutsouvelis, Carmela E. Corallo & Michael J. Dooley

  2. Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Science, Monash University, Parkville, Melbourne, 3051, Australia

    Michael J. Dooley

  3. Pharmacy Department, Box Hill Hospital, Nelson Road, Box Hill, 3128, Australia

    Josephine Foo

  4. Intensivist, Intensive Care Unit, Box Hill Hospital, Nelson Road, Box Hill, 3128, Australia

    Ann Whitfield

Authors
  1. John Coutsouvelis
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  2. Carmela E. Corallo
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  3. Michael J. Dooley
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  4. Josephine Foo
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  5. Ann Whitfield
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Correspondence to John Coutsouvelis.

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Coutsouvelis, J., Corallo, C.E., Dooley, M.J. et al. Implementation of a pharmacist-initiated pharmaceutical handover for oncology and haematology patients being transferred to critical care units. Support Care Cancer 18, 811–816 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-009-0713-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-009-0713-4

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