Pharmacist-generated electronic consults to improve hypertension management in a multisite health centre: pilot study.

Background: Utilisation of the electronic medical record (EMR) is believed to facilitate timely access to patient information, enhance communication between care team members and further promote clinical decision support.

Objective: To determine if pharmacist-generated electronic consults (e-consults) improve blood pressure control among patients with uncontrolled hypertension in a multisite health centre.

Methods: Pharmacists generated hypertension medication e-consults with review by primary care provider (PCP) during the patient appointment. We conducted a retrospective review of consults to determine types of pharmacist recommendations, PCP acceptance rates, and blood pressure changes.

Results: Pharmacists generated a total of 60 e-consults, 41 patients with a systolic blood pressure above their respective goal; e-consults were accepted 46% ( n = 19) of the time.

Conclusion: This pilot project demonstrates a unique way for pharmacists to proactively utilise the EMR when delivering coordinated care within a multisite health centre. In addition, pharmacists were successfully integrated into the planned care approach.