[Economic impact of the resolution of drug related problems in an Emergency Department]

Abstract

Objective: Determine the economic impact of avoided cost in hospital stays by preventing drug-related problems.

Method: Prospective observational study of six months in the emergency department. We included patients admitted for observation and pre-admission beds. A pharmacist was integrated into the healthcare team to validate / reconcile pharmacotherapy. Severity was associated DRPs detected / resolved with the risk increasing the stay of patients admitted to a clinical unit, estimating the potential cost avoided.

Results: El 32,5% of patients required intervention and were intercepted 444 drug-related problems, resolving 85.5%. Serious problems serious / significant unresolved affected 130 patients who were admitted, with an estimated avoided cost about 60,000 €. It was noted that serious problems and oral cytostatics, insulin and diabetes were the groups associated with a higher average cost avoided (p <0.05).

Conclusion: The integration of the pharmacist in the emergency team to intercept medication problems, reducing the risk of stay and increase healthcare costs.