Developing and Implementing a Pharmacist-Managed, Telephone-Based Helicobacter pylori Clinic

Experience with the Program

Within three months, 42 patients were evaluated and appropriately treated. Treatment compliance, evaluated by patient response, was 100%, and few adverse effects were noted. Because we focused on drug interactions and medication safety, no significant drug-drug or drug-food interactions were recorded. Although not formally evaluated, patient satisfaction with this clinic was recognized; patients remarked about the convenience of home assessment and follow-up, the provision of education and awareness, and the individualized attention they received. Symptomatic improvement was noted in 14 (33%) of 42 patients, but overall improvement was difficult to determine because many patients were asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic before initiating therapy. In addition, many patients were on acid-suppressive therapy, which may have interfered with baseline symptom scores. Of the 42, only 3 patients were referred to their primary care provider for further evaluation; at one month, acid-suppressive therapy had not been reinitiated for any of the patients.

Am J Health Syst Pharm. 2002;59(8) © 2002 American Society of Health-System Pharmacists

Cite this: Developing and Implementing a Pharmacist-Managed, Telephone-Based Helicobacter pylori Clinic - Medscape - Apr 15, 2002.