General - Napra printable pdf download

Documentation Form: General

STUECK PHARMACY LTD.

Box 400

Leader, SK

SON 1HO

(306) 628-3744

Fax: 628-4378

TO: _____________________________________________

RE: _____________________________________________

_________________________________________________

________________________________________________

DATE: ___________

_____________

Gordon Stueck, B.S.P.

When a patient presents in the pharmacy with a problem that should be addressed immediately by a

physician, document your assessment and use the form as a referral sheet to the physician. Give it to

the patient to give to the physician. This reinforces our role as an accessible healthcare professional.

Often, physicians are unaware of our role in referring patients.

When counseling patients, the pharmacist is often able to identify drug-related problems or alternative

therapies, of which the physician should be made aware. The form serves as a communication tool

connecting pharmacy to the physician at a time when the physician has the time to properly assess the

suggestions or query. Phone calls from a pharmacy can interrupt patient visits and soon become tedious

and bothersome, regardless of how well intentioned. I mail all accumulated completed forms to the

respective physicians involved on a daily basis. At the local medical clinic, physicians read and initial

each communication before the form is placed in the patient's chart. Action may be taken immediately

or at the patient's next visit.

When several physicians of different specialties are treating a single patient, medication order

frequently become confused (a heart specialist may err on the patient's diabetic medication). The forms

serve as an effective tool in ensuring everybody is on the same wavelength.

Other members of the health care team should also be informed of the results of our discussions with

the patient. For example, the mental health nurse and attending psychiatrist should be informed of

suspected medication noncompliance. It is the patient's choice whether to take medication or not, but

the caregivers should be informed of your assessment.

Patients often forget the advice you give them. The form serves as a quick record of OTC counseling

and care given for our own records.

General - Napra