European Statement:
- Clinical Pharmacy Services
What was done?:
Patient nausea and vomiting (NV)—particularly chemotherapy-induced NV (CINV) in malignant haemopathies—was managed by an interprofessional team.
Why was it done?:
How was it done?:
A multidisciplinary working group was established to create a comprehensive, patient-centred NV management programme. Work sessions focussed on attaining a therapeutic consensus and adapting international guidelines to our context. Different professions learnt about each other’s needs and fields of competency, enabling each to be heard and creating mutual benefits through sharing expertise and knowledge. Pathophysiological/pharmacological leadership was given to clinical pharmacist, including developing and teaching specific protocols and supervising complex clinical situations in the field.
What has been achieved?:
Interprofessional consensus was reached, documentation and techniques were implemented including clinical evaluation checklists at patient admission. CINV therapeutic regimens were completely updated and immediately and automatically included in cancer treatment protocols. The clinical pharmacist and specialist nurses give initial interprofessional training to new colleagues and ensure continuous on-site supervision. This transversal work has resulted in fewer patients suffering from NV and better team understanding of pathophysiological mechanisms, differential diagnoses and adverse drug effects—this also ended the use of unsuitable medications and dosages. Overcoming this critical situation also allowed us to begin non-pharmacological integrative care.
What next?:
Keywords:
- Clinical pharmacy›Multidisciplinary team
- Clinical pharmacy›Pharmaceutical care
- Theraputic areas›Oncology
