ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate expanded pharmacy services designed to improve medication therapy management for hospice care in rural Minnesota. METHODS: Deidentified data were obtained from records kept by the study pharmacy as part of its normal operations. In-depth interviews of key pharmacy personnel and from each hospice care organization were conducted to identify overall themes based on their experiences. Descriptive analysis was conducted for summarizing the findings. Information gleaned from the interviews was documented and themes identified. These themes were used to provide insight for those who may wish to adopt this program for their patient populations. RESULTS: At initial enrollment into hospice care, 85% of the patients received at least one recommendation related to their medication therapy. During patients' enrollment in hospice care, the most common types of problems addressed through pharmacist consults were symptom control (65%), followed by dosage form (15%), medication management (12%), and adverse effect control (8%). CONCLUSION: Implementation and evaluation of this program showed that the structures and processes used were sound and could be transferred to other patient populations. Outcomes from the program were favorable from practitioner, organization, and patient care perspectives.
