World Journal of
Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences

CLINICAL PHARMACIST CONTRIBUTION IN MANAGING PATIENTS IN INTENSIVE CARE UNIT [ICU]

Dr. Padige Srivarsha*, Nampelly Raaziiv Varma*, M. Kavya, Shambuni Venkatesh

ABSTRACT

Intensive care unit (ICU) is an advanced clinical practice setting where critically ill patients need complex and individualized medication treatment. The role of the clinical pharmacist in the ICU has changed significantly and contributed to the delivery of optimized medication therapy, the prevention of adverse drug events, and the improvement in patient care outcomes. This review will highlight some of the clinical pharmacist contributions to patient care in the ICU, including participation in both multidisciplinary rounds, as well as therapeutic drug monitoring or dosing adjustments in presence of organ dysfunction, and antimicrobial stewardship. Clinical pharmacists play an important role in reducing medication errors, documenting and managing drug interactions, promoting the need for evidence-based prescribing, and supporting the education of clinicians, patients and caregivers. Clinical pharmacists have been shown to reduce rates of morbidity and mortality, length of stay in the hospital, and costs of healthcare. In conclusion, clinical pharmacists are an important component of the ICU team, and their contributions are important to the delivery of safe, effective, patient care, and cost-effectiveness in practice in critical care.

[Full Text Article]   [Download Certificate]