The role of the pharmacist in the ICU: Current status and for the future

Abstract

Pharmacists are crucial members of the multidisciplinary team caring for critically ill patients. Patient management by pharmacists in the ICU involves ensuring the quality of both direct and indirect care as well as honing professionalism as critical care pharmacists. “Position paper on critical care pharmacists in Japan” aptly outlines balanced behavioral objectives across these three domains. However, there is concern that the heterogeneity of processes for assessing patients and managing the workforce in clinical practice may lead to variability in patient outcomes. In addition, education for pharmacists to provide pharmacological care in the ICU is not widespread among all pharmacists. Demonstrating and continually refining appropriate indicators, along with providing systematic education on intensive care medicine not only to pharmacists but also to pharmacy students, may contribute to the continued evolution of critical care pharmacists in the ICU. The anticipated evolution of patient management by critical care pharmacists in the ICU is expected not only to deliver appropriate pharmacotherapy but also to contribute to further enhance patient outcomes further.