Integration of clinical pharmacists into an ambulatory, pediatric hematology/oncology/transplant clinic:

ObjectivesTo describe key activities performed by a newly deployed clinical pharmacist in an outpatient pediatric hematology, oncology, transplant clinic. To demonstrate how utilization of the pharmacist evolved, as indicated by changes in frequency of key activities, during the first four months of integration.DesignClinical pharmacists were made consistently available in an outpatient clinic serving hematology, oncology, transplant patients and their families. A list of key activities, based on provincial clinical pharmacist standards, was created to provide a framework for the role. Over a four-month period, the pharmacists recorded the number of times activities were performed.ResultsOver the data collection period, obtaining best possible medication histories (203), providing medication counseling (150), and creating adherence aids (144) were the most commonly performed activities. In comparison to the first month, key activities increased by 73% in the fourth month. Notably, providing recommendation...