Patients’ drug worries spur desire for information
In July 1999, the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) surveyed people about their concerns regarding hospital care. "The results show that patients need to feel more comfortable about their pharmaceutical treatments," says Bruce Scott, RPh, MS, president of ASHP. (See cover story, "Consumer anxiety runs high about meds problems during hospital stays.")
Here are the key findings of the survey:
- 76% say that speaking with a health-system pharmacist would help address their concerns.
- 75% say it is "very important" that a health system provide a pharmacist who can answer questions about their medications.
- 51% say that having access to a pharmacist would influence their decision on which hospital or health system they choose.
- 65% say a conversation with a pharmacist is their first choice as an information source on meds given within a health system. However, trust is a different matter: 32% would most trust a pharmacist to explain their medications, 56% most trust a doctor, 10% a nurse.
- 71% check to ensure that they or a family member are receiving the correct medicines when in a hospital or health system.
- 67% are "very concerned" about using their meds safely when leaving a hospital or health system.
- 76% say their concerns about medications were addressed the last time they or a family member were in a hospital or health system.
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