Documentation in the Patient's Medical Record by Clinical Pharmacists in a Canadian University Teaching Hospital.

backgroundIn many studies on documentation, the data are self-reported, which makes it difficult to know the actual level of documentation by pharmacists in patients' medical records. The literature assessing documentation by clinical pharmacists in health care centres is limited.

objectiveTo assess the level of documentation in patients' medical records by clinical pharmacists at one large urban hospital.

methodsThis retrospective observational study included all patients who were followed by a clinical pharmacist during their stay in the Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montreal between July 1 and October 31, 2016. The primary outcome, the level of documentation in patients' medical records, was categorized as minimal, sufficient, or extensive. The quality of notes and the impact of pharmacy students and residents on documentation were evaluated as secondary outcomes.

resultsA total of 779 patient charts from 4 inpatient units were included in the analysis. Of these, 563 (72.3%) were considered to have minimal documentation (at least 1 intervention described in writing), 432 (55.5%) had sufficient documentation (at least 1 note written during the patient's hospitalization), and 81 (10.4%) had extensive documentation (appropriate number of notes in relation to duration of hospitalization). Medication reconciliation performed by pharmacists at the time of admission was documented in 696 (89.3%) of patients' records. The presence of students or residents on a clinical unit was associated with a significant increase in the percentage of charts with at least 1 follow-up note (23.6% [120/508] with students/residents versus 12.5% [34/271] without students/residents;

conclusionsDocumentation by clinical pharmacists in patients' medical records could be improved to achieve the stated goal of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists and the Canadian Society of Hospital Pharmacists, that all significant clinical recommendations or interventions should be documented.