Benchmarking pharmaceutical care within the Alberta Cancer Board

Abstract

Objective. To describe the numerous pharmacy ac tivities afforded by the seven pharmacy sites that provide various levels of pharmacy services to cancer patients in cities throughout Alberta, Canada.

Methods. A questionnaire for measuring phar maceutical care (PC) was developed and applied to each site to benchmark the level of PC that was offered at each institution. The survey was con structed based on elements of the PC model of Hepler and Strand et al and grouped along the lines of Cal Knowlton's ABCs of PC. Responses were graded according to what degree the site had fully, partially, or not yet incorporated the element surveyed.

Results. Overall, 44% of the PC elements were fully implemented, 33% were partially implemented, and 23% were not yet implemented in the newly formed Alberta Cancer Board Pharmacy Department. The traditional areas of bottling and counseling con tinue to be areas of strength, with 79% and 77% of the elements fully implemented, respectively. More em phasis is warranted in the areas of assessment and surveillance, with only 26% and 29% of the elements fully implemented, respectively.

Conclusions. The results of the survey indicate the need for continued planning to incorporate some of the elements of cognitive pharmacy services in the Alberta Cancer Board Pharmacy Department strategic plan.