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