Background and Importance Pharmacists’ involvement in patient care became more common along with system-based medication safety work in Finnish hospitals during 2011–2016. The first national survey was conducted in 2011 and repeated using the same method in 2016. This development is in line with national and international patient safety policy initiatives and European hospital pharmacy statements.

Aim and Objectives The aim of this study was to conduct the third national follow-up survey on hospital clinical pharmacy services in Finland in 2022 and compare the results to the year 2016.

Material and Methods The study was conducted in 2022 as a national online survey targeted to hospital pharmacies (n=22) and medical dispensaries (n=23). The questions were analysed using descriptive statistics and qualitative content analysis.

Results The response rate of the survey was 62% (n=29/45). Clinical pharmacy services were provided in 83% (n=24/29) of the responding units. The number of clinical pharmacy staff increased between 2017 and 2022, and services were provided in more versatile environments. In particular, the services had become more common at admission and in outpatient units, such as first aid, emergency rooms, and outpatient clinics where medication reconciliation is essential. Furthermore, in some units (25%, n=6/24), services were also available in the evenings and during weekends in one responding unit. As in 2016, the system-based medication safety work and the comprehensive development of the medication management system were highlighted also in this survey. The most increased tasks were medication reviews and medication safety audits, whereas in 2016 the most increased task was medication reconciliation. Surprisingly, pharmacists’ participation in the patient‘s discharge had decreased. Despite the increasing prevalence of automation technology and pharmacy assistants, logistic tasks had remained on the same level as in 2016.

Conclusion and Relevance Finnish hospital clinical pharmacy services have expanded in line with national and international guidelines and increasingly concentrate on promoting medication safety. The focus is currently on admission and outpatient units. In the future, more effort should be put into discharge, because it would be particularly cost-effective by decreasing drug-related readmissions.

References and/or Acknowledgements 1. Schepel L, et al. Strategies for improving medication safety in hospitals: Evolution of clinical pharmacy services. Res Social Adm Pharm. 2019 Jul;15(7):873–882.

Conflict of Interest No conflict of interest.