Abstract

PHARMACEUTICAL CARE DOCUMENTATION IN TWO TERTIARY HEALTH CARE FACILITIES IN SOUTH EASTERN NIGERIA

Ogbonna Brian Onyebuchi*, Ezenduka Charles Chukwuemeka, Enede Udoka and Oparah Azuka Cyriacus

ABSTRACT

Background: Continuity of care cannot be achieved without proper documentation of patient information. Documentation enhances patients follow up and monitoring as they move from one level and state of care to another. Aim: This study was carried out to examine the extent of pharmaceutical care documentation among pharmacists and assess their attitudes towards the practice. Methods: A prospective cross sectional study of randomly selected pharmacists in two tertiary health care facilities in Nigeria was conducted using structured questionnaires to assess pharmaceutical care documentation practices. Data was collected on pharmacists' demographics, attitudes and practices towards pharmaceutical care documentation. The study was conducted between January and September, 2014. Results: A total of 204 pharmacists took part in the study of 90 (44.1%) males and 114(55.9%) females. Out of this population, 138(67.7%) claimed to document pharmaceutical care activities, 65(16.2%) do not carry out documentation while 1(0.5%) document occasionally. The modal years of professional experience were 1-10 years. Standard documentation format was used by 79(40.5%) while 116(59.5%) did not use standard documentation format (n=195). Drug interaction 121(59.3%), unnecessary drug therapy 114(55.9%) and wrong drugs 84(41.2%) were the most documented drug therapy problems, (n=204). Conclusion: Findings suggest inadequate documentation of pharmaceutical care activities by the pharmacists, requiring the need for policy strategies for enhanced pharmaceutical care practices for improved patients quality of life, even though their general perception of its importance is significant.

Keywords: Pharmaceutical care, documentation, pharmacists, drug therapy, patient care, quality of life