Work

Impact of Early Interprofessional Involvement with a Critical Care Pharmacist on Patient Outcomes in the Intensive Care Unit

Year: 2026

Type: preprint

Abstract: Background While critical care pharmacists (CCPs) are broadly associated with improvements in outcomes for critically ill patients, operationalizing staffing in the intensive care unit (ICU) requires further study. The purpose of this evaluation was to determine the relationship of a CCP on interprofessional rounds for weekday admissions of ICU patients on patient-centered outcomes. Methods This post-hoc analysis of the Optimizing Pharmacist-Team Integration for ICU Patient Management (OPTIM) study included adults admitted to an ICU on a weekday in the multicenter observational study. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. The primary exposure was level of comprehensive medication management (CMM) during the first 24 hours of ICU stay. A secondary exposure was pharmacist-to-patient ratio. Multivariable generalized estimating equations (GEE) were used to estimate associations between mortality and patient, ICU, and institution variables. Fine-Gray sub-distribution hazards regression estimated hazard of discharge alive (HDA) from the ICU and hospital and hazard of extubation alive. Results 21,835 patients met inclusion criteria, and 76.1% of patients had CMM delivered on interprofessional rounds. Patients who had no CMM on the first ICU day had an increased risk of mortality of 23% (Odds Ratio (OR) 1.23, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 1.04-1.46, p=0.02) compared to those who received CMM on interprofessional rounds. Patients with no CMM also had decreased HDA from the ICU and hospital and decreased hazard of extubation alive. No difference was seen in any outcomes when comparing other levels of CMM (CMM delivered outside of interprofessional rounds or abbreviated CMM) compared to CMM delivered on rounds. Conclusions Absence of pharmacist CMM on the first day of ICU stay for patients with weekday admission was associated with an increased risk of in-hospital mortality, but no difference was seen across levels of CMM: this signal supports further investigation in prospective analysis. Key Points Question Do ICU patients who do not receive comprehensive medication management (CMM) from a critical care pharmacist (CCP) on interprofessional rounds on the first day have a relationship with worse outcomes? Finding Patients not receiving CMM had increased mortality and length of stay, but no difference in outcomes was observed in patients receiving partial CMM or CMM delivered outside of interprofessional rounds. Meaning CMM from a CCP is associated with improved patient outcomes compared to those not receiving CMM, but further research is needed to clarify optimal delivery of CMM and the impact of CCP participation on interprofessional rounds.

Source: medRxiv

DOI: 10.64898/2026.08.25.26361345