Abstract

This project aimed to describe how the pharmacy department prepared to care for pediatric patients with cystic fibrosis, a new population being cared for at the institution.

PURPOSE: Our community hospital was recently charged with providing care for pediatric people with cystic fibrosis (PwCF). Pediatric PwCF generally need a higher level of care than is required by other pediatric patients cared for at our institution. This project aimed to prepare the pharmacy department to care for this specialized population safely and efficiently.

SUMMARY: The implementation process was divided into 3 phases to accomplish the larger purpose. These phases were as follows: (1) creating order sets and protocols; (2) providing staff and clinical pharmacists with training and resources; and (3) creating and managing clinical decision support. The central aspect of preparing inpatient pharmacy staff to care for PwCF was the development of antibiotic dosing protocols and order sets comprised of intravenous and oral antibiotics as well as aminoglycoside and vancomycin pharmacokinetic guides. A pharmacokinetic calculator was created to assist with aminoglycoside dosing and monitoring. During phase 2, pharmacist education modules were created to provide guidance on cystic fibrosis and medications commonly used to treat it. As the newly designed protocols were enacted, education was provided on how to use them. Phase 3 occurred concurrently, as clinical decision support was vital to completing phases 1 and 2.

CONCLUSION: The phased approach was imperative to the project's success and kept individual components on track. All parts were completed in just over one year.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

3-7-2024

Publication Title

American journal of health-system pharmacy : AJHP : official journal of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists

First Page

219

Last Page

225

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