Clinical pharmacists save money and lives

摘要

Clinical pharmacists are saving lives and generating massive savings to drug budgets,said Lars Heslet,medical director of intensive care,National University Hospital,Copenhagen.Speaking at the annual conference of the European Association of Hospital Pharmacists in Maastricht,Professor Heslet highlighted evidence that pharmacists were improving patient morbidity and mortality as part of the clinical team.A recent US study investigated .the effect of using a pharmacist to ensure that sedative therapy,when used in intensive care patients,was reduced in accordance with locally agreed protocols.Results showed a reduction in mechanical ventilation time,duration of intensive care and duration of hospital stay for the patient (Critical Care Medicine 2008;36:427).