Pharmacy Services in a Federal Extended Care Facility, as Provided by a Pharmacy Student

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons Inc

E-ISSN: 1532-5415|26|7|331-334

ISSN: 0002-8614

Source: JOURNAL OF AMERICAN GERIATRICS SOCIETY, Vol.26, Iss.7, 1978-07, pp. : 331-334

Disclaimer: Any content in publications that violate the sovereignty, the constitution or regulations of the PRC is not accepted or approved by CNPIEC.

Previous Menu Next

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe objective of this study was to identify the role of the pharmacy student in providing health care to a Federal Nursing Home Care Unit. Under the supervision of a graduate pharmacy resident, the student was responsible for monitoring compliance in drug therapy, providing consultation services, and developing several research projects. A detailed study of allergy documentation in 78 patients showed that 25.6 percent of their records indicated drug allergies, but upon further investigation only 5.1 percent could be confirmed. Fourteen (41 percent) of the 34 reported allergy‐producing substances had been administered again after the initial allergic incident, without ensuing difficulties. Evaluation of the self‐medication program indicated that 71.4 percent of 14 study patients could not easily open their child‐proof medicine containers. A change to “tight” containers enhanced the patients' ability to open them. However, no significant conclusions could be drawn regarding improvement in the patients' compliance with prescription directions. Pharmacy students can be a valuable resource in improving documentation, testing drug prescription compliance, and participating in the general care of patients in long‐term facilities.