Objective:

To describe the current situation regarding the specialized pharmaceutical service provision in nursing homes in Spain, from a health-care perspective reflecting activity, care and services provided.

Method:

Observational, cross-sectional, multicenter study conducted between February-June 2018 through a survey aimed at all Hospital Pharmacy Units in Spain. Once the initial version was assessed by twelve evaluators whose healthcare assistance work were related to nursing homes, an electronic form was designed, consisting on 10 dimensions and 66 questions. A piloting was carried out by six nursing homes pharmacists. The results were analyzed descriptively.

Results:

The overall response rate was 29.7% (113 out of 380). Out of all studied hospital pharmacy units, 46.0% (n = 52) served nursing homes (9 as Nursing Homes Pharmacy Department) whose characteristics defined a profile of pharmacy unit at hospital, public ownership, consolidation in this activity, with great variability in the number of centers and patients to be attended by service, and with the pharmacist's partial dedication. In 51.3% of cases, nursing homes professionals were represented at pharmacy and therapeutic committees, while 38.5% were from pharmacy services who participated in the selection of medical devices. Also, 67.4% performed an integral management of the therapy. The study has also shown that 34.6% counted on assisted electronic prescription, while 88.5% performed a pharmaceutical validation of the prescription prior to dispensing, which in 71.2% of cases consisted of individualized unit doses. It was found that 42.3% performed a third-level treatment comprehensive review, and 25.0% participated in the interdisciplinary nutritional assessment. It also showed that 34.6% actively participated in either comprehensive geriatric assessment, or clinical cases in interdisciplinary teams, and 46.2% counted on programs for the safe use of medicines.

Conclusions:

The specialized pharmaceutical care at nursing homes is a reality, although it presents important differences in essential aspects for the quality of the assistance provided. It is necessary to go in-depth on the care model to be developed, as well as having a greater involvement of pharmacy services to achieve a comprehensive and person-centered care.

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