Monitoring of patients prescribed potassium supplements

Zuzana Hovorkova

Degree Project 30 hp, Pharmacotherapy

Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences/Division of Pharmacokinetics and Drug Therapy

Supervisor: Linden Ashfield, Examiner: Margareta Hammarlund-Udenaes

Introduction: In Northern Ireland, clinical technicians have been supporting pharmacist in their work in over five decades. From initially having mainly administrative tasks, the role of pharmacy technicians has progressed to more clinical activities. Following recent incidents caused by inadequate monitoring of potassium blood levels it was suggested pharmacy technicians could be utilized to improve patient care.

Aim: Aim of this project was to ensure the appropriate monitoring and compliance with treatment guidelines for patients prescribed potassium supplements by extending the role of pharmacy technicians at Antrim Area Hospital.

Methods: Training for extending the roles of clinical technicians was developed, following the structure of  a regional training programme. Literature search was made to find appropriate background about the subject of interest. Data about monitoring of potassium levels in the relevant patients was collected. Daily monitoring of these patients before and after the change was implemented were compared.

Results: Clinical technicians contribution to monitoring of patients prescribed potassium replacement therapy improved guidelines compliance from 66.6 %  to 90 % (x²-test, p = 0.028). Percentage of successful treatment raised from 66 % to 89.7 % (x²-test, p = 0.028).

Conclusion: By extending roles of the clinical technicians, better and appropriate monitoring of patients prescribed potassium supplements can be reached. In future, roles of the pharmacy technicians could be extended further, thus releasing  pharmacists time to expand their role, leading to a more cost- effective system and ensuring medicines optimization.