Medication Utilisation Program, Quality Improvement and Research Pharmacist-Implementation Strategies and Preliminary Findings

Karen Whitfield; Ian Coombes; Charles Denaro; Peter Donovan

doi:10.3390/pharmacy9040182

Medication Utilisation Program, Quality Improvement and Research Pharmacist-Implementation Strategies and Preliminary Findings

Pharmacy (Basel). 2021 Nov 4;9(4):182. doi: 10.3390/pharmacy9040182.

Authors

Karen Whitfield^{1

2}, Ian Coombes^{2

3}, Charles Denaro^{4

5}, Peter Donovan^{1

5}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Butterfield Street Herston, Brisbane, QLD 4029, Australia.
² School of Pharmacy, University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia.
³ Department of Pharmacy, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Butterfield Street Herston, Brisbane, QLD 4029, Australia.
⁴ Department of Internal Medicine & Aged Care, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Butterfield Street Herston, Brisbane, QLD 4029, Australia.
⁵ Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, 288 Herston Road, Herston, QLD 4006, Australia.

Abstract

Judicious use of medicines that considers evidence-based practice, together with cost-effectiveness, is a priority for all health care organisations. We describe an initiative to lead a Medication Utilisation Program, incorporating medication quality improvement and research activities. In August 2020 an advanced pharmacist position was implemented to lead the Program. The purpose was to provide oversight and facilitate initiatives promoting medication optimisation to create sustainable change in practice. A strategic plan was developed with key performance indicators. A governance structure was implemented with relevant reporting mechanisms. Strategic planning and collaboration with medical, nursing and allied health professionals has seen the successful implementation of seven codesigned medication-use evaluations and eight quality improvement projects centred around patient safety, quality and value-based care. Several research studies have been designed with subsequent commencement of pharmacists enrolled in university Research Higher Degree programs. Cost containment initiatives have realised potential savings approximating AUD 250,000. Educational programs included protocol design, ethics approvals and report writing. Key success criteria for a Medication Utilisation Program include dedicated pharmacist resources, structured governance and reporting mechanisms. Alignment of study complexity with staff experience and interdisciplinary collaboration are also critical.

Keywords: clinical pharmacology; medication optimisation; medication quality improvement; medication research; medication utilisation program; medication-use evaluation; pharmacist.