The utility of a medical admissions pharmacist in a hospital in Australia.

Background Medication-related hospital admissions in Australia have previously been estimated to account for approximately 3% of all hospital admissions, with hospital entry points being a point of vulnerability. The timely medication review and reconciliation by a pharmacist at the early stage of an admission for patients admitted to the Acute Medical Unit (AMU) would be beneficial. Setting The Emergency Department (ED) and AMU in a 300 bed tertiary teaching hospital, in South Australia.

Post-discharge medication reviews for patients with heart failure: a pilot study.

Background: Medication misadventure is greatest at times of change such as the transition from hospital to community. Patients with heart failure are prone to medication misadventure due to polypharmacy, inappropriate medication use and frequent readmissions.

Objective: To identify the barriers encountered when implementing a Liaison Pharmacist facilitated post-discharge medication management service for patients with heart failure.