Standardising pharmacist patient-profiling activities in a rehabilitation hospital in Malta

Abstract

Objectives: To develop, validate, test for applicability and practicality, implement and undertake a preliminary evaluation of a standard operating procedure (SOP) for pharmacist patient-profiling activities at Rehabilitation Hospital Karin Grech (RHKG). Methods: Following direct observation of pharmacist patient-profiling activities in the hospital, a draft SOP was developed. The SOP was validated twice using a self-administered validation questionnaire and was amended according to suggestions proposed during validation. The validated SOP was tested for applicability and practicality through an observation study. Pharmacists were trained to follow the SOP correctly and the SOP was subsequently implemented. Preliminary evaluation of the SOP was undertaken using a selfadministered evaluation questionnaire 1 and 4 months post implementation. Results: A ‘patient-profiling’ SOP for pharmacists was developed. Validation was beneficial since constructive suggestions were proposed and improvements with respect to SOP content, length, presentation, layout and comprehensiveness were implemented to develop the final version of the SOP. The SOP was found to be practical and applicable for use at RHKG. Preliminary evaluation showed that all pharmacists (nine) found the SOP fit for purpose, easy to follow for training new pharmacists, user friendly, easy to understand and promotes consistency in patient-profiling activities. Conclusions: The ‘patient-profiling’ SOP provides a comprehensive approach to standardisation of pharmacist patient-profiling activities at RHKG to improve the quality of patient care. The SOP will need to be regularly reviewed and updated and can be transferred to other hospital settings with minor amendments.