Pharmacist

What does the pharmacist do in Intensive Care?

One of the pharmacist's main roles in the intensive care unit is to look at the patients' medication and to make sure that everything that's prescribed is appropriate and safe for the patient in terms of the dose, the way it's given, how often it's given and if there are any side effects. The pharmacist will usually review the patient's normal medications when they are admitted to Intensive Care and will work very closely with the medical and nursing staff throughout the patient's stay. It is not uncommon for some (and often many) of the patient's normal medicines to be stopped when he or she is admitted to Intensive Care; the pharmacist will offer advice on if and when they should be restarted. The pharmacist also works very closely with the dietitian to make sure that any patients receiving Total Parenteral Nutition (the liquid feed that is given directly into the patient's bloodstream via a drip in the neck) receive a treatment that is tailored to their individual needs.