Development of a comprehensive community pharmacy patient intake form compliant with OBRA'90 requirements.

OBJECTIVE

To identify whether community pharmacies are collecting the minimum patient information mandated by the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 (OBRA'90), and to create an intake form that meets and exceeds these requirements.

METHODS

Chain, mass merchandiser, supermarket, and wholesale pharmacies located within the state of Florida were eligible for selection. Only 1 pharmacy was selected from each company. The research assistant asked the pharmacy employee to describe all information requested from a patient who is bringing in a prescription for the first time and/ or provide a blank copy of their existing patient intake form. Patient intake information forms were collected between July 2008 and February 2009.

RESULTS

Of the 10 pharmacies included in this study (3 supermarkets, 3 mass merchandisers, 2 wholesale pharmacies, and 2 chain pharmacies), 40% of the studied pharmacies collected information on patient medications. All pharmacies collected at least 6 information requirements. Only 1 pharmacy was compliant with OBRA'90 requirements evaluated.

CONCLUSION

By obtaining this information providers are in a better position to assist with avoiding medication errors and to help with the medical reconciliation process in health systems.