Pharmacist Integration at an Internal Medicine Clinic

Clinic details

• 6 attending physicians

• ~40 resident physicians

• 1 dietician

• 1 social worker (MSW)

• 1 pharmacist

• 2 LPNs (2 more as “transitions of care” LPNs in hospitals)

• 5 MAs

Project Description

Goal: Institute a team-based medication refill protocol.

Methods: A written policy was developed and overseen by a pharmacist, but executed by an LPN, to screen incoming medication refill requests.

Results

As of June, 2022:

• “Light days” refill authorizations include ~50 requests, all of which used to go to physicians, with predictable delays in authorizations

• “Heavy day” is closer to ~100 requests

• No detectable change in patient satisfaction.