Integrated pharmaceutical care model by unit-based clinical pharmacists: Implementation and clinical impact
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Background: In response to China's National Health Commission mandates promoting unit-based clinical pharmacists, healthcare institutions face severe workforce shortages, creating a critical policy-resource disparity. Objective: This study aimed to implement and evaluate a hybrid unit-based clinical pharmacist model in respiratory wards to address this gap. Methods: A structured workflow was implemented, integrating morning clinical activities (joint physician-pharmacist rounds, medication reconciliation, and real-time interventions) with afternoon analytical tasks (medication order surveillance). The model was evaluated quantitatively from 2021 to 2024. Results: Post-implementation, antimicrobial use density dropped from 114.43 to 103.82 DDDs/100 patient-days (a 9.3 % reduction), dual antimicrobial therapy fell from 29.89 % to 11.34 % (a 62.1 % reduction), and pharmacist-patient interactions rose 3.3-fold. Medication safety was enhanced, with adverse drug reaction reports growing from 34 to 61 (a 79.4 % increase). Seven representative cases illustrated the resolution of critical drug therapy issues, demonstrating the framework's capacity to augment stewardship and safety despite staffing constraints. Conclusions: The hybrid model provides a scalable framework for hospitals addressing the clinical pharmacy staffing gap in China. By strategically allocating limited pharmacist resources, it enhances antimicrobial stewardship and medication safety while complying with national reforms.
Authors: Kezhen Feng, Xinyan Han, Nan Lv, Chaogang Xiong, Yajing Li, Bo Yang, Jingjing Yi, Tao Zhang
Language: English
Subfield: Pharmacology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,140
Award: G900536000
OpenAlex ID: W7116041643