How to Gather Information Form the Patient When He Comes to a Pharmacy so We Can Assess him with the Right Medication - Literature review Example

Journal s When a patient comes in to the pharmacy seeking medicines for his illness, there are various questions which must be asked by the pharmacist in order to ensure that the patient gets the right medicine at the right dosage. In Australia, the What-Stop-Go method is often used by pharmacists in order to determine which medicine could best be administered to the patient. First, the pharmacist must determine who the patient is, how long the symptoms have been present, what the actual symptoms are, and the treatment for the illness or any other condition (March, et.al., 2000, p. 1). Then the pharmacist has to stop and assess the situation. In this instance he must first assess the symptoms or the side effects which may be caused by other conditions or other medications; he must be totally sure of any special patient needs or circumstances; and assess for overuse or abuse – considering how the often the patient has been taking the medicine or self-treating the condition (March, et.al., 2000, p. 1). All these must be checked with the pharmacist and the student must always ask whether the patient would like to speak to the pharmacist. After considering all the above points, the health professional/pharmacy assistant or student can now GO – supply the medicine if appropriate and provide advice to the patient (March, et.al., 2000, p. 1). The health professional must also ask the patient if he has any other questions or if the patient would like a CMI for the Pharmacist Only Medicine. Advice on the use of the medicine must also be given. In instances when it appears imperative that a referral to the pharmacist or doctor is needed at any point during the WHAT-STOP-GO process, the student or assistant must do so. In instances when pharmacist-only medicines are needed for the patient, the student must check who the patient is, what the symptoms are; what has already been tried on the patient; how long the symptoms have been present; the other medications which the patient is taking; and the other conditions present in the patient (March, et.al., 2000, p. 2). After checking the above circumstances, the student or assistant must then assess if the diagnosis is clear; what the most appropriate medication therapy is; and the possible interactions (March, et.al., 2000, p. 2). The student or assistant must then respond and recommend appropriate therapy; refer if there is uncertainly; and reconsider if the medication is inappropriate (March, et.al., 2000, p. 2). The student or assistant must also explain to the patient by giving verbal and written directions. He must also explain to the patient what he can do if his condition is not improved and the possible reasons for referral (March, et.al., 2000, p. 2). Finally, the student or assistant must record his activities and all other transactions. He must also record ongoing care, if he is referred and if there is misuse of abuse suspected in the patient (March, et.al., 2000, p. 2). The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia also sets forth that in administering pharmacist only medicines, such medicines should be located in a secure area in the store which is within sight, hearing, and supervision of the pharmacist; where consumers do not have direct access to; where consumers are unable to self-select from; and where additional storage means are made available (PSA, 2005). Pharmacy medicines must also be located in the designated ‘Professional Services Area’. There must also be signage which would encourage the consumers to ask advice from the staff regarding their pharmacy medicines. Also, any item which is identified as subject to inappropriate use should be stored in an area which is under the direct supervision of the pharmacist (PSA, 2005). As a pharmacy student, it is also important to note the regulated medicines usually administered to the patient and the legal standards which have to be followed. It is important for the student to note that medicines are classified under the Medicines, Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Act of 2008 as a pharmacy medicine, a pharmacist only medicine, a prescription only medicine, and a controlled medicine. When a patient would come into the pharmacy asking advice for appropriate medications for his illness, the What-Stop-Go process may be applied, however, the process must take into consideration the kind of medicine which would be administered to the patient first. A literature review by Roughead & Semple (2008) sought to assess the medication-related problems in the acute care setting. The study was able to show how problems in the patient’s health may later manifest when the safe administration of medications is not emphasized. It is important to note how omission or overdose is a common problem encountered during acute care and with medicines like analgesics and anticoagulants (Roughead & Semple, 2008). Possible prescribing errors may also be seen. It is therefore important to implement the What-Stop-Go process for all patients and to practice more specific regulatory measures when controlled medications or pharmacy medications are involved. The National Prescribing Service of Australia also makes important suggestions and key points in the prescription and administration of over-the-counter NSAIDS. The self-audit is being suggested as the most effective method for this case. The method suggests that paracetamol is a first-line management for pain in cases of headaches, osteoarthritis, strains, and sprains (NPS, 2004, p. 1). The self-audit process would include the protocol, the customer notice, the registration form, and 10 self audit forms. The self-audit process includes the assessment of who the medicine is for, the member of staff which can best handle the transaction, and other information which has to be gathered – including, age, medical and other conditions and other medicines being used (NPS, 2004, p. 2). Age has to be assessed because of special precautions which may have to be considered in the patient before a drug can be administered to him. There are drugs which are not advisable to children and for the elderly. These considerations must be noted before a drug is released. Other conditions such as peptic ulcer, asthma, heart and kidney problems, pregnancy, and breastfeeding are also considerations which have to be assessed and noted in the self-audit forms (NPS, 2004, p. 2). The use of OTC NSAIDS must also be applied with caution by patients using other medications. Hence, it is important for the pharmacist to check the patient’s current medications and possible interactions which may be seen from a combination of the medications. In administering medications to a patient who comes to the pharmacy, it is important for the pharmacist and his assistant to apply interpersonal communication skills in order to communicate with the customer, ask questions to confirm requirements, and to maintain customer privacy (Board of Studies, 2007). The pharmacist must also take the time to identify and locate S2 and S3 medications in the pharmacy. The legal requirements for these medications may vary for each state; nevertheless, the basic standards of administration involve consumer and environmental law, privacy legislation, and similar laws. The roles and responsibilities which help support the intake of the medications must also be taken into consideration and the pharmacist or the student must also note that in the pharmacy, he may be dealing with the customer or his agent, customers visiting the pharmacy personally or by phone. The pharmacist or the student may also be dealing with patients who have special needs which may include the elderly, those with disabilities, or with sensory impairment (Board of Studies, 2007). Customers coming into the pharmacy may also come from various ethnic or social backgrounds and these backgrounds may affect the communication process with the patient, especially the thorough application of the What-Stop-Go process (Board of Studies, 2007). The customer coming in to the pharmacy may be seeking patient information for himself or for another person; he may be requesting for a specific brand or manufacturer, may be requesting relief for a specific condition; may be suffering from some physical disabilities or allergic reactions which may call for the application of the what-stop-go process (Board of Studies, 2007). Works Cited March, G. Gilbert, A., & Quintrell, N., 2000, What-Stop-Go protocol for providing Pharmacy Medicines and Pharmacist Only Medicines, Pharmaceutical Society of Australia, viewed 02 April 2010 from http://www.guild.org.au/uploadedfiles/Quality_Care_Pharmacy_Program/Accreditation/standardsprotocols.pdf Medicines, Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Act 2008, 17 December 2009, ACT Parliamentary Counsel, viewed 02 April 2010 from http://www.legislation.act.gov.au/a/2008-26/current/pdf/2008-26.pdf Retail Services Curriculum Framework, 2007, Board of Studies, viewed 02 April 2010 from http://www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/syllabus_hsc/pdf_doc/retail/37-SIRPPKS001A.doc Roughead, L. & Semple, S., July 2008, Literature review: medication safety in acute care in Australia, Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Healthcare, viewed 02 April 2010 from http://safetyandquality.gov.au/internet/safety/publishing.nsf/Content/D0DABD9912D44A14CA257516000FDABB/$File/16566-LitRev-MedSafetyAcuteCare.pdf Standards for the Provision of Pharmacy Medicines and Pharmacist Only Medicines in Community Pharmacy, November 2005, Pharmaceutical Society of Australia, viewed 02 April 2010 from http://www.psa.org.au/site.php?id=1121 What you need to know to complete the over-the-counter NSAIDs self-audit, 2004, National Prescribing Service, viewed 02 April 2010 from http://nps.clients.squiz.net/__data/assets/pdf_file/0018/34713/OTCNSAIDS2004_Pack.pdf Read More