Original Article

Survey of pharmacist services and status of drug administration to patients with dysphagia in convalescence rehabilitation wards

Hiroko Otsubo, Ph, Keiko Kishimoto, PhD, Ryota Kumaki, Ph, MS, Keiko Akagawa, PhD, Naomi Kurata, PhD
Jpn J Compr Rehabil Sci 10: 108-116, 2019

Objective: To investigate the role of pharmacists through a survey on pharmacist services and the status of drug administration to patients with dysphagia.
Methods: A survey of members of the Kaifukuki Rehabilitation Ward Association was conducted using a questionnaire.
Results: Investigation of the pharmacist services indicated that in wards in which pharmacist services were provided to >-90% of in-hospital patients, drugs brought to the hospital by the patients were checked 88.1% of the time, guidance with regard to drug administration was provided 10.5% of the time, and guidance was provided at discharge 35.5% of the time. In many cases, patients with dysphagia were administered drugs in thickener after grinding or as a simple suspension. At 91.4% of the facilities surveyed, this was confirmed by the medical staff, but was directly confirmed by the pharmacist at 26% of facilities. Swallowing ability was assessed at 21.2% of facilities, the name and type of thickener used was checked at 39.3%, and the type of feeding tube used was checked at 73.1%. These implementation rates were positively correlated with the time at which the pharmacist made rounds in the convalescence rehabilitation ward.
Conclusion: To increase the involvement of pharmacists in providing drug-taking guidance and caring for patients with dysphagia in convalescence rehabilitation wards throughout the country, measures should be taken to increase their time in the ward.

Key words: convalescence rehabilitation ward, pharmacist services, dysphagia patient, current status survey, simple suspension method

Contents (volume 10)