The Alfred introduces credentialed pharmacists to reduce ED congestion and medication errors

To address the issue of access block and increasing demand resulting in ED overcrowding,  the team at The Alfred Hospital saw an opportunity to introduce an innovative alternative to traditional “medical prescribing” at admission and a way to reduce medication errors.

The result was the implementation of a whole-of-hospital redesign known as “Total Quality Care” with components of partnered medication review and charting. Credentialed pharmacists were included in the initial stages of patient admission to ED and a routine review of orders was conducted within 24 hours by a second pharmacist. The data on 549 patients saw a significant drop in the medication error rate to just 0.15%.

The Alfred’s innovation presentation is available by clicking here.

Other hospital’s innovations from the 2015 Medication improvement group meeting are available by clicking here.