The role of the clinical pharmacist in the care of patients with cardiovascular disease.

Abstract

Team-based cardiovascular care, including the use of clinical pharmacists, can efficiently deliver high-quality care. This Joint Council Perspectives paper from the Cardiovascular Team and Prevention Councils of the American College of Cardiology provides background information on the clinical pharmacist's role, training, certification, and potential utilization in a variety of practice models. Selected systematic reviews and meta-analyses, highlighting the benefit of clinical pharmacy services, are summarized. Clinical pharmacists have a substantial effect in a wide variety of roles in inpatient and ambulatory settings, largely through optimization of drug use, avoidance of adverse drug events, and transitional care activities focusing on medication reconciliation and patient education. Expansion of clinical pharmacy services is often impeded by policy, legislation, and compensation barriers. Multidisciplinary organizations, including the American College of Cardiology, should support efforts to overcome these barriers, allowing pharmacists to deliver high-quality patient care to the full extent of their education and training.

• Authors: Steven P Dunn, Kim K Birtcher, Craig J Beavers, William L Baker, Sara D Brouse, Robert L Page 2nd, Vera Bittner, Mary Norine Walsh
• Journal: Journal of the American College of Cardiology (J Am Coll Cardiol) Vol. 66 Issue 19 Pg. 2129-2139 (Nov 10 2015) ISSN: 1558-3597 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 26541925 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Review)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2015 American College of Cardiology Foundation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Topics

• Cardiovascular Diseases (drug therapy)
• Humans
• Medication Adherence
• Pharmacists (standards)
• Pharmacy Service, Hospital