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Experience with the Implementation of Clinical Pharmacy Services and Processes in a University Hospital in Belgium

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Abstract

This article summarizes the experience with the development of clinical pharmacy services in the Ghent University Hospital in Belgium. Implementation of clinical pharmacy services in Belgian hospitals has not been evident because these activities were initially not structurally financed. The aim is to describe the strengths and weaknesses of the clinical pharmacy development process, and the milestones that enhanced the progress. Furthermore, the organisation of clinical pharmacy in the Ghent University Hospital is explained, including back- and front-office activities, seamless pharmaceutical care and medication safety improvement. Some working methods, procedures and tools are explained for different clinical pharmacy services. In particular, the clinical pharmacy projects for geriatric patients as well as the preparation of clinical pharmacy services for the accreditation process are explained. We also reflect on the organisation model and the future development of clinical pharmacy, taking into consideration facilitators and potential barriers.

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Acknowledgments

The authors are indebted to all the participating clinical pharmacists, especially to the former head pharmacist Prof. H. Robays. This article is based on a presentation at the 42nd ESCP Symposium on the Implementation of Clinical Pharmacy Practice: Research, Education and Management, held in Prague, Czech Republic, October 2013.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmacy, Ghent University Hospital, De Pintelaan 185, 9000, Ghent, Belgium

    Annemie Somers & Barbara Claus

  2. Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium

    Annemie Somers & Barbara Claus

  3. Department of Intensive Care and External Relationships, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium

    Koen Vandewoude

  4. Department of Geriatrics, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium

    Mirko Petrovic

  5. Faculty of Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium

    Koen Vandewoude & Mirko Petrovic

Authors
  1. Annemie Somers
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  2. Barbara Claus
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  3. Koen Vandewoude
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  4. Mirko Petrovic
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Annemie Somers.

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This article was not funded.

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The authors have no conflicts of interest.

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Somers, A., Claus, B., Vandewoude, K. et al. Experience with the Implementation of Clinical Pharmacy Services and Processes in a University Hospital in Belgium. Drugs Aging 33, 189–197 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40266-016-0356-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40266-016-0356-3

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