Selection of initiatives to improve the management of patients with hereditary angioedema by the hospital pharmacy using the nominal group technique

Abstract

Al·lèrgia; Servei de farmàcia; Qualitat de l'atenció sanitària

Allergy; Pharmacy service; Quality of health care

Alergia; Servicio de farmacia; Calidad de la atención sanitaria

Objective: To identify and promote hospital pharmacy initiatives to improve the management of patients with hereditary angioedema (HAE) within the Spanish healthcare system. Method: A panel of experts comprising hospital pharmacists, an allergist and a nurse/member of the Spanish Hereditary Angioedema Association (Asociación Española de Angioedema Familiar) highlighted initiatives to improve care for patients with HAE after identifying, evaluating and prioritising them. Prioritisation was assessed based on the impact on patient care and the feasibility of their implementation on a scale of 1-5. Results: Seven key areas of activity for the role of hospital pharmacists in the management of patients with HAE were identified: evaluation and selection of medicines; hospital pharmacy dispensation and telepharmacy; pharmacotherapy follow-up and telemedicine; coordination with other healthcare teams involved in the care of patients with HAE; patient health education and training; research on HAE; and continuous education and training of hospital pharmacy service personnel. Ten initiatives with a mean impact score of 5 and a mean feasibility score of ≥4.1 were considered as high-priority initiatives. Half of the initiatives belong to the area concerning patient education and training (50%), followed by care coordination initiatives (30%) and continuous education and training (20%). Conclusions: Ten high-priority initiatives for the management of patients with HAE were identified by a panel of experts. The implementation of such initiatives by the hospital pharmacy service should enhance the management of patients with HAE in the Spanish healthcare system.

The preparation of this study and this article has been possible thanks to the collaboration of CSL Behring in external project consulting. CSL Behring did not influence the opinions of the participating experts nor the final conclusions.