Clinical Pharmacology & Biopharmaceutics
Open Access

Abstract

Background: The increased influx of patients and limited access to specialized healthcare due to insufficient number of medical staff in ophthalmology setting has been reported for more than a decade. For same reason, our pharmacy services introduced clinical pharmacists as an alternative healthcare provider for routine patients’ visits in such setting. Aim: The aim of this study was, to allow ophthalmology medical staff to focus on more important patients’ needs and also to explore the potentials of clinical pharmacist engaged in the ophthalmology clinic. Method: This study assessing the potential impact of several problems for patients suffering from eye disorders that usually encounter and must visit the ophthalmologists for help. Among which is chronic medications’ supply. Step-by-step protocols for 65 of the most frequently prescribed ophthalmic drugs were developed to guide the clinical pharmacist in decision-making. Results: Over a period of 15 months, the refill clinic was responsible for reviewing 8,572 medical records with an average review time of 5.5 minutes per chart. Based on an average 8-hour workday, this study saved and equates approximately 98 days per 15 month about (23%) that returned to clinicians for patients in greater need of their immediate expertise. The rate of pharmacist chart intervention was 16.3%. Conclusion: This experience was very successful for dispensing ophthalmic drugs safely, and saving patient and clinician time. I recommend this to be expanded to include additional and advanced clinical specialty.

Biography

Fahad I Al-Saikhan has completed his Bachelor’s degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences from King Saud University in Riyadh, KSA, PharmD from St. Louis College of Pharmacy in St. Louis, MO. He has completed Ambulatory Care Residency at Oklahoma University. He worked as a Hospital Pharmacist, then Consultant Clinical Pharmacist and Director of Pharmacy Services at KKESH-Wilmer Eye Institute (John Hopkins hospital-Baltimore) then Assistant Professor at PSAU. He has published several research papers in reputed journals and was invited to speak at several professional meetings. He serves as a Consultant at different organization.

Email: fsaikhan@hotmail.com