Providing Cognitive Pharmacy Services to the High-Risk Obstetrical Patient

Abstract

Obstetrical Pharmacy, a relatively recent specialty area, has allowed the clinical pharmacist to provide consultative services in caring for the high-risk pregnant patient. The obstetrical pharmacist provides cognitive services in the form of direct oral communication with the obstetrician, followed up with a written (signed) pharmacotherapy consult. This consult will generally deal with a multitude of pregnancy-related problems and nonpregnancy-related problems. As part of the health care team, the obstetrical pharmacist helps to ensure a positive therapeutic drug-related outcome by monitoring end points of therapy, providing drug information, and documenting all interventions in the patient records. Third-party payors value the pharmacist's cognitive services in providing this specialized care, as indicated by the successful reimbursement, which is obtained as a result of proper written documentation, for these services.