Development of pharmaceutical care system for tuberculosis patients in Khai Bang Rachan district, Sing Buri province

Abstract

This study aimed to develop a pharmaceutical care system for patients with tuberculosis in Khai Bang Rachan, Sing Buri. The study was three-phase action research. First, conditions and needs for system development were investigated. Second, guidelines for improvement were developed by using FOCUS-PDCA process by 12 healthcare practitioners from the tuberculosis clinic. Data were obtained through in-depth interviews, focus-group, and document analysis in the first and second phases. Third, the developed system was evaluated by using the medical records relating to the service and pharmaceutical care of the out-patients at Khai Bang Rachan Hospital. The assessment was performed according to the drug safety standard issued by the Office of Permanent Secretary in 2022. Content analysis and descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data at this stage.              

The key findings were as follows. First, the pharmaceutical care system for the out-patients was at level two. Second, the improved guidelines comprised improving accessible pharmaceutical care records for the healthcare team, pharmaceutical model, efficient data record systems within the hospital network, evaluating patient knowledge, satisfaction, the corporation in safe drug use, and ensuring the quality of life. Lastly, the developed system assessment showed that the pharmaceutical care system level was elevated to level three. The results of the developed pharmaceutical care system in tuberculosis patients were effective. Nine out of ten indicators were achieved. Guidelines for pharmaceutical care in tuberculosis patients had also been developed. In conclusion, the development of pharmaceutical care system through action research among healthcare practitioners was proven effective. The system had been improved through knowledge sharing, which led to the overall improvement of the system.