On October 7 – 11, 2019, Ms. Maisaa and Ms. Madiha visited Chicago to observe pharmacy practice in two large academic medical centers, our multidisciplinary clinic, community pharmacy, and academia.
This visit was facilitated by the College of Pharmacy, Midwestern University, Chicago, USA. Dr. Sally Arif, was their immediate supervisor. Sites of the visit included;
- The College of Pharmacy, Midwestern University, Chicago
- Midwestern University Multidisciplinary Ambulatory Care Clinics
- Rush University Medical Centre
- Loyola University Medical Centre
- Independent Community Pharmacy
On observations, many innovative patient care approaches by pharmacists were observed. Though some of these approaches are not really new in the USA, it would be great to be introduced to UAE practice as most of the hospitals/pharmacies in UAE do not have these practices. The innovative pharmacy practice model to be adopted from the USA included;
- Vaccination by pharmacists (Pharmacist administer all types of vaccines)
- Pharmacist role in Dental Clinic (Pharmacist in dental clinic assist with the collection, documentation, evaluation of patient’s medical history on their and communication of these information to dental and other providers involved in a patient’s care.
- Role of pharmacist in transplantation services (Every hospital having transplant services must have clinical pharmacist in team. This role of pharmacist is so important that US national health insurance program, Medicare, will not reimburse without pharmacist presence in transplant team.)
- Investigational Drug Pharmacist (Reviews protocols for clinical investigational drug trials and performs communication responsibilities among Department of
Pharmacy, principal investigators, clinical trial coordinators, research assistants and clinical trial sponsors.) - Emergency department pharmacist, as a part of Stroke care team is actively involved in evaluation and screening of patients for tPA administration.
- Pharmacist is an integral part of Code Blue response team to ensure selection of correct medication, correct dosing and if required, administration of drug.
- During a training period, APPE students, residents and clinical pharmacist work like a pyramid – the person at the bottom of the pyramid (students) report to PGY1 resident, PGY1 to PGY2 and PGY2 to clinical pharmacist.