At Muhimbili National Hospital, the strategic inclusion of pharmacists in the operating rooms has marked a significant shift in surgical care management. This integration aims to optimize healthcare delivery and ensure cost-effective practices within the hospital’s surgical departments.
Before and After Integration
A comprehensive study was conducted to assess the impact of pharmacists in the operating rooms by comparing two distinct time periods. The “before era” (BE), spanning from April 2016 to June 2018, operated without the presence of pharmacists. In contrast, the “after era” (AE), from July 2018 to September 2020, saw the inclusion of pharmacists in surgical teams. Data from over 72,000 patients were analyzed to evaluate changes in operational efficiency and cost management.
Cost Savings and Satisfaction
The findings revealed a notable reduction in medication and medical supply costs, dropping from approximately TZS 8.63 billion in the BE to TZS 6.70 billion in the AE. Although the integration of pharmacists added an expense of TZS 1.41 billion, the overall net savings amounted to TZS 526 million, translating to cost savings of TZS 69,007 per patient. Additionally, the majority of health workers reported high satisfaction levels, with 98.4% appreciating the pharmacists’ role and 92.9% endorsing their performance in the operating rooms.
• Pharmacist involvement led to significant cost reductions in medical supplies and medications.
• Enhanced workflow efficiency was reported by over 90% of OR health workers.
• Limited understanding of pharmacists’ roles suggests a need for better role definition and training.
The study highlights that integrating pharmacists into surgical teams not only streamlines operations but also contributes to substantial financial savings. However, it also points to the necessity of clarifying the pharmacists’ roles to maximize their effectiveness and ensure all health workers are adequately informed about their contributions.
Pharmacists play a crucial role in managing medication protocols and supplies, which directly impacts patient outcomes and overall healthcare costs. Their expertise in pharmacology ensures that surgeries are supported by the appropriate medications, reducing the likelihood of errors and enhancing patient safety.
Adopting this model in other developing nations could pave the way for more efficient healthcare systems. By demonstrating significant cost savings and high satisfaction rates among health workers, the study provides a compelling argument for the broader integration of pharmacists into various departments within hospitals.
Future research should focus on expanding the role of pharmacists beyond operating rooms to other critical areas of healthcare delivery. Additionally, exploring training programs that can better acquaint health workers with the pharmacists’ contributions will be essential in fully realizing the benefits of this integration.
Empowering pharmacists within surgical teams not only elevates the standard of care but also ensures a more economically sustainable healthcare system. Hospitals aiming to enhance operational efficiency and reduce costs should consider similar integrations to achieve optimal outcomes for both patients and healthcare providers.
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