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Journal of Basic and Clinical Pharmacy
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Citations : 16585

Journal of Basic and Clinical Pharmacy received 16585 citations as per google scholar report

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The Role of Pharmacists in Enhancing Medication Safety in Long-Term Care Facilities

Mera Franco*
 
Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid,, Spain
 
*Correspondence: Mera Franco, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid,, Spain, Email: franco@gmail.com

Received: 30-Sep-2024, Manuscript No. jbclinphar-24-153965 ; Editor assigned: 02-Oct-2024, Pre QC No. jbclinphar-24-153965 (PQ); Reviewed: 16-Oct-2024 QC No. jbclinphar-24-153965; Revised: 23-Oct-2024, Manuscript No. jbclinphar-24-153965 (R); Published: 30-Oct-2024

Citation: Franco M. The Role of Pharmacists in Enhancing Medication Safety in Long-Term Care Facilities. J Basic Clin Pharma.2024,15(5):387.

This open-access article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (CC BY-NC) (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), which permits reuse, distribution and reproduction of the article, provided that the original work is properly cited and the reuse is restricted to noncommercial purposes. For commercial reuse, contact reprints@jbclinpharm.org

Description

Long Term Care (LTC) facilities provide essential services for elderly and chronically ill patients, many of whom require complex medication regimens to manage multiple conditions. While these medications are critical for maintaining health and quality of life, they also present significant risks, including Adverse Drug Events (ADEs), drug-drug interactions, and medication errors. Enhancing medication safety in LTC facilities is a priority for healthcare systems worldwide, and pharmacists play a pivotal role in achieving this goal [1].

Pharmacists, as medication experts, contribute significantly to the safety, efficacy, and appropriateness of medication use in LTC settings. This article explores the various roles pharmacists play in enhancing medication safety, the challenges faced, and strategies for optimizing their contributions to patient care. Many residents of LTC facilities take multiple medications, increasing the risk of adverse drug interactions, inappropriate prescribing, and non-adherence [2]. Physiological changes in the elderly, such as reduced renal and hepatic function, alter drug metabolism and increase the risk of toxicity. LTC residents often have chronic conditions requiring long-term pharmacological management, further complicating medication regimens. Dementia and other cognitive disorders prevalent in LTC residents can lead to challenges in adherence and communication about symptoms or side effects. High workloads, insufficient training, and lack of dedicated pharmacy services can contribute to medication errors.

Pharmacists play a multifaceted role in improving medication safety in LTC facilities. Pharmacists review medication histories during patient transitions into LTC facilities to ensure accuracy and prevent unintended omissions or duplications. Accurate reconciliation reduces the risk of medication errors, especially during hospital admissions or discharges [3]. Pharmacists engage with residents and their families to explain the purpose, benefits, and potential risks of prescribed medications. This improves adherence and empowers patients and families to participate actively in medication management. Pharmacists contribute to the creation and implementation of medicationuse policies and protocols within LTC facilities. These guidelines standardize practices, reduce variability, and promote a culture of safety. Monitoring and reporting Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs) contribute to national and international pharmacovigilance efforts, ensuring safer medications for all patients. Pharmacists support the implementation of electronic prescribing systems and clinical decision support tools to minimize medication errors. Automated dispensing systems and Electronic Health Records (EHRs) improve accuracy and efficiency in medication management. Many LTC facilities lack sufficient staffing or funding to employ dedicated pharmacists, limiting their ability to provide comprehensive services. Lack of integration into the healthcare team can hinder pharmacists’ ability to influence prescribing practices and contribute to decision-making [4,5]. Frequent changes in residents, including admissions and discharges, increase the workload and complexity of medication management. Resistance from prescribers or caregivers to deprescribing or other pharmacist-led interventions can limit the impact of their efforts [6,7]. Integrating electronic prescribing systems, medication error reporting tools, and clinical decision support systems reduces errors and enhances efficiency [8]. Pharmacist-led interventions significantly reduce prescribing errors, administration mistakes, and documentation inaccuracies [9]. Regular monitoring and timely interventions by pharmacists reduce the incidence of ADEs and hospitalizations [10].

Conclusion

Pharmacists play a vital role in enhancing medication safety in long-term care facilities, addressing the unique challenges of polypharmacy, ADEs, and medication errors. Through activities such as medication reconciliation, comprehensive reviews, deprescribing, and staff education, pharmacists contribute to safer and more effective medication use, ultimately improving patient outcomes. As the population of elderly individuals in LTC facilities continues to grow, integrating pharmacists as key members of the healthcare team will be essential to delivering high-quality, patient cantered care.

References