Clinical pharmacy practice patterns among North Carolina rural hospitals Cameron Lanier, Robert Tunney, Ruthanne Baird, Betty Chewning, Kim Kelly Hartnett Health/Campbell College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences - Lillington, NC
Background/Purpose: Rural hospitals are often isolated and without adequate institutional funding or sponsorship needed to provide for comprehensive clinical services. Given that greater than 75% of counties within North Carolina (NC) are rural, the understanding of social-cognitive factors influencing healthcare practice patterns within such settings may be necessary to address the potential institutional disparities. The purpose of this study is to describe the clinical pharmacy services which are currently provided and elucidate barriers toward their further expansion within NC-based rural hospitals.
Methodology: This prospective, cross-sectional, cohort study utilized survey responses distributed to pharmacy directors and managers across the state of NC. The survey was piloted among a small cohort of rural hospitals within the state for validation purposes prior to broader dissemination. The primary endpoint was defined as the descriptive reporting of factors that contribute to differences in clinical abilities of rural hospitals in NC. Secondary endpoints included the characterization of components related to clinical service expansion. Results were summarized via descriptive statistics and free response questions were analyzed qualitatively via coding for common themes.
Presentation Objective: To describe existing and planned clinical pharmacy services at rural hospitals in North Carolina.
Self-Assessment: What issue do rural pharmacies identify as the principal barrier preventing the expansion of clinical services?
