Pharmacists' Role in Managing Drug-Drug Interactions in Complex Patients: Strategies, Challenges, and Impact on Patient Outcomes

Authors: Najlaa S. Alghamdi, Hayat N. Alshammari, Alaa M. Alsayyari, Sarah Y. Alsharif

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.13683216

Short DOI: https://doi.org/gt9jrv

Country: Saudi Arabia

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Abstract: Background: Managing drug-drug interactions (DDIs) in patients with multiple comorbidities presents significant challenges, often leading to adverse drug events (ADEs) and increased healthcare utilization. Pharmacists, with their expertise in pharmacotherapy, play a crucial role in identifying and managing these interactions.

Objective: This study aimed to analyze pharmacists' contributions to the management of DDIs in complex patients, focusing on the strategies employed, challenges encountered, and the impact of their interventions on patient outcomes.

Methods: A mixed-methods approach was used, combining a retrospective review of 300 patient records and semi-structured interviews with 100 pharmacists. Quantitative data were analyzed to assess the incidence of DDIs and patient outcomes before and after pharmacist interventions. Qualitative data were thematically analyzed to explore pharmacists' experiences and strategies.

Results: Pharmacist interventions led to a significant reduction in ADEs (from 25% to 10%) and hospital readmissions (from 15% to 8%), along with an increase in patient satisfaction (mean score improvement from 3.2 to 4.5). Major challenges identified included complex medication regimens, incomplete patient information, and time constraints. Key strategies involved the use of electronic health records (EHRs), interprofessional collaboration, and patient education.

Conclusion: Pharmacists play a vital role in managing DDIs, significantly improving patient safety and outcomes. The findings underscore the need for integrating pharmacists into multidisciplinary teams and enhancing decision-support tools to support their critical role in healthcare

Keywords: Drug-drug interactions, pharmacists, comorbidities, patient safety, adverse drug events, multidisciplinary teams, electronic health records

Paper Id: 231127

Published On: 2022-08-02

Published In: Volume 10, Issue 4, July-August 2022

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