Interprofessional Practice Models

Compelling research demonstrates that healthcare systems improve when hospital pharmacists are included in interprofessional care models. Efforts to narrow or close the gaps in clinical pharmacy coverage in hospitals across Canada should enhance the quality and safety of care provided to patients.

Background

The quality of care and patient safety in the healthcare system depend on the efforts of many people. Medication errors and adverse drug events are important causes of patient harm, and failure to translate evidence‐based guidelines into clinical practice creates further gaps in the quality of patient care. Hospital pharmacists, as members of the healthcare team, play an essential role in ensuring that people receive high‐quality, safe care while they are patients.

However, hospital pharmacists’ clinical skills are often underutilized despite the evidence showing that their inclusion in interprofessional care teams results in:

• favourable effects on patient outcomes or underlying health;
• fewer adverse drug events;
• improved patient safety;
• a reduction in health care costs;
• shorter lengths of stay, fewer emergency visits, and readmission rates.

Key Messages from CSHP

Information Papers

• Hospital Pharmacists: Information Paper on Enhancing Quality and Safety in Medication Use (2010)
• Pharmaciens d’hôpitaux : Un document d’information sur l’amélioration de la qualité et de la sécurité d’utilisation des médicaments (2010)
• Hospital Pharmacists: Information Paper on Direct Patient Care and Beyond (2010)
• Pharmaciens d’hôpitaux : Document d’information sur les soins directs prodigués au patient et davantage (2010)

Promoting and Supporting Interprofessional Practice Models Campaign – 2011

Letters

• Campaign Letter to Government Health Care Decision Makers
  • English
  • French
• Campaign Letter to Health Care Decision Makers
  • English
  • French
• Campaign Letter to Decision Makers from Pharmacy (Regulatory Authorities, Interest Groups, Associations and Heads of Faculties) and Other Healthcare Professions (Regulatory Authorities)
  • English
  • French
• Campaign Letter to Nursing/Physician Decision Makers (Regulatory Authorities & Special Interest Groups, Associations, Heads of Faculties)
  • English
  • French