MEDICATION SAFETY ACTIVITIES OF HOSPITAL PHARMACISTS IN GHANA; EXPERIENCES AND EXPECTATIONS OF DOCTORS AND NURSES

Objective: This study explored the experiences and expectations of doctors and nurses with pharmacists' medication safety activities in the hospital to determine the barriers to effective collaboration and potential clinical roles that pharmacists need to undertake to promote patient safety Methods: This was a cross sectional descriptive survey. Questionnaires were administered to a conveniently selected 200 doctors and 120 nurses working in a 2000 bed teaching hospital in Ghana. Results: A total of 269 questionnaires were completed representing a response rate of 84.1%. The response rates for doctors and nurses were 86% and 80.8% respectively. Sixty percent of doctors and 59% of nurses were satisfied with the interactions they had with pharmacists. Only 39.9% and 31.4% of respondents agreed that pharmacists write refill prescriptions and treat common ailments respectively. Moreover just over half (53.8%) agreed that pharmacists reconstitute I. V preparations for administration. However 80% and 85.3% agreed that pharmacists provide drug information and report on medication errors respectively. Doctors were twice as much less likely to agree that pharmacists monitor effectiveness and side effects of medication (P=0.006). More than 90% of respondents expect pharmacists to provide medication education to patients whiles only 66.3% agreed that pharmacists use their knowledge and skills to alter drug regimes in the best interest of patients. Conclusion: The experiences of doctors and nurses with pharmacists were considered positive though they were more likely to accept and recognize traditional pharmacy services. Increasing awareness of these new pharmacists' clinical skills will be important for enhancing medication safety activities in the hospital