Practices of pediatric hospitals regarding drug-nutrient interaction counseling programs
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Abstract
In recent years, the Joint Commission for the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations has focused on assessment of needs, both educational and medical, with emphasis on drug-nutrient interactions. Registered Dietitians (R.D.s) were surveyed at forty-five freestanding, acute care pediatric hospitals to determine who performs inpatient and outpatient counseling, how patients are identified, and the drugs chosen. Seventy-eight percent (n = 35) of the surveys were returned. Nurses (38.2%) were the primary educator for inpatient counseling and pharmacists (32.3%) for outpatient counseling. The most common means of identification for inpatient counseling is the R.D. scanning charts (n = 19), and the pharmacist noting the interaction (n = 16). Outpatients were screened by pharmacists (n = 18) and R.D.s (n = l0). The top drug categories targeted for counseling include: anticonvulsants (n = 35), antibiotics (n = 33), diuretics (n = 26), bronchodilators (n = 19), and anticoagulants (n = 16). This survey provides insight into mechanisms employed for education and the targeted drugs most significant for this specialized population.