Implementation of a clinical pharmacy service in the transfer unit of a tertiary hospital: A clinical quality audit

Abstract

Aim To describe the nature and impact of a clinical pharmacist in the Transfer Unit of a tertiary hospital.

Methods A retrospective audit was conducted based on operational and clinical measures assessing patient flow and medication safety. Patient inclusion criteria included all patients (excluding outpatients) transferred to the Transfer Unit prior to discharge or admission to hospital over a 5 month period in 2014.

Results The increase in the average number of patients transiting through the Transfer Unit prior to 11:00 hours was 31 patients per month (42–73). The pharmacist performed a total of 41 medicine-related interventions and identified 12 patient safety incidents.

Conclusion The implementation of a pharmacist in the Transfer Unit may have contributed to: (i) improving patient flow, particularly at the time of hospital discharge; and (ii) identifying adverse drug events. Further research is required regarding the cost-effectiveness of the Transfer Unit pharmacist role.