Documentation of clinical interventions by pharmacy faculty, residents, and students

OBJECTIVE: To describe the influence of pharmacy faculty, residents, and students at a community hospital by documenting the number and types of interventions attributable to their involvement in patient-care activities. METHODS: Between September 1, 1997, and May 31, 1999, data were collected using a computerized documentation system to characterize the intervention type, significance, and value of services rendered by an education group composed of pharmacy faculty (n = 2), residents (n = 4), and students (n = 22). RESULTS: The number, nature, and outcome category for all interventions were documented using an existing computerized documentation system. The education group accounted for 13% (n = 2873) of total clinical activities documented (n = 21 817). The most common activities reported were discharge counseling/education (31%), consultation by physicians and therapeutic recommendations (15%), and route conversion (6%). Interventions documented by the education group were classified as medium or high significance 50% of the time. Sixteen percent ($172 655) of the estimated cost avoidance documented by the pharmacy department was attributed to the education group. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that educational activities by pharmacy faculty, residents, and students have a positive influence on patient care in a community hospital.