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KMID : 0869620240410010038
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Journal of Korean Society of Hospital Pharmacists
2024 Volume.41 No. 1 p.38 ~ p.47
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Pharmaceutical Care Services in Korean Neonatal Intensive Care Units: A Multicenter Survey
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Park Hye-Won
An Sook-Hee
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Abstract
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Background : Pharmaceutical care can reduce medication errors and improve patient safety in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). This study aimed to investigate pharmaceutical care services and roles of pharmacists for effective and safe medication use in Korean NICUs.
Methods : This cross-sectional, electronic-based survey was conducted in December 2020. Questionnaires were sent to pharmacy directors of hospitals with NICUs in Korea. The questionnaire comprised items about hospital features, NICU-related pharmaceutical care, currently used computer programs for pharmaceutical services, and methods of communication with medical staff.
Results : Thirty-three hospitals responded to the survey. The majority (78.8%) of these hospitals were tertiary hospitals, with 14 (42.4%) having an NICU pharmacist. Regarding workload, 21 hospitals had daily NICU work, with 17 pharmacists engaging in NICU work for 1?3 hours a day. Pharmacists in 66.7% of hospitals participated in ward rounds for clinical decision support and pharmacists in 31 hospitals performed consultations for pharmacotherapy or nutrition support. Providing information as requested by the medical staff and nutritional support monitoring were performed in all hospitals. Pharmacists performed the management of total parenteral nutrition orders in 84.9% of hospitals, patient medication chart review in 75.8% of hospitals, and correction of dosages by weight and age of neonates in 84.9% of hospitals. Identification and interventions for drug-related problems were conducted by pharmacists in 63.6% of hospitals. Pharmacists provided clinical pharmacokinetic services in 57.6% of hospitals. Most pharmacists stated that they communicated over the phone (81.8%), followed by advice forwarding software (57.6%) and in-person visits (54.5%). Computer software for nutrition support was used in all hospitals.
Conclusion : Korean pharmacists provide a variety of pharmaceutical care services for effective and safe therapy of NICU patients. Further research is required to evaluate outcomes of pharmaceutical care in NICUs.
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KEYWORD
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Neonatal intensive care unit, Neonate, Pharmaceutical care, Pharmacist
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