017: Pharmacist Administered Parenteral Medications: A Descriptive Study of a Novel Inpatient Training Program

Statement of Purpose, Innovation or Hypothesis: Parenteral medication administration is a crucial aspect of in-hospital patient care and has been historically managed by nurses and physicians. Despite pharmacists' extensive training in the medication use process, their underutilization in medication administration stems from various factors, including the lack of formalized training, limited awareness by other healthcare professionals and unclear legal guidance. This study discusses the implementation and outcomes of a pharmacist medication administration program at a large academic medical center.

Description of Methods & Materials: The initiative began by revising hospital policies, enabling pharmacists to administer medications during emergencies. Documentation and communication protocols were established. Training included an online module and hands-on sessions covering various topics with a focus on parenteral medication administration and medication safety. Following completion of the program, pharmacists were assessed by qualified evaluators for competency. The frequency and characteristics of pharmacist administered medications were captured and described.

Data & Results: Thirty pharmacists, including 11 residents, participated. Seven pharmacists administered 349 medications to 284 patients in emergency situations. There were 227 titratable infusions, 72 intermittent or continuous infusions, 49 IV push and one intranasal naloxone administered by pharmacists. Classes of medications included high risk products such as vasopressors, sedatives, antiarrhythmics and thrombolytics. No adverse events or medication misadventures were reported.

Interpretation, Conclusion or Significance: Implementation of the pharmacist medication administration program signifies significant progress in acknowledging and strengthening the pharmacists' role in patient care at the bedside. Specifically highlighting the competency of pharmacists to administer parenteral products during emergency situations. The absence of adverse events highlights the feasibility and safety of integrating pharmacists into the bedside team. As the landscape of health-system pharmacy evolves, embracing standardized training programs like ours can position pharmacists as essential contributors to multidisciplinary healthcare teams, ultimately enhancing patient care and safety.

Disclosures: There was no external funding for this work. The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Additional Information/Authors: Acknowledgements: The authors would like to acknowledge Dakota Smith, Doctor of Pharmacy Candidate, for her assistance with data gathering and compilation.