Characteristics of Critical Care Pharmacy Services in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Purpose

Critical care pharmacists (CCPs) in intensive care units (ICUs) are associated with improved patient outcomes, reduced adverse events (ADEs), and reduced mortality rates. This study aimed to describe the activities and pharmacy services provided by CCP in ICUs in hospitals in Saudi Arabia (SA).

Methods

In this cross-sectional prospective study, a questionnaire was electronically sent to CCPs practicing in SA between September 2022 and January 2023. A modified version of a previously published and validated survey was sent to the Saudi Critical Care and Emergency Specialty Network. The questionnaire focused on four CCP activities: clinical, educational, scholarly, and administrative. The level of services was similarly classified into three domains: fundamental, optimal, and desirable. The responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics.

Results

The study surveyed 44 CCPs in SA, with a response rate of 52.3%. These CCPs were predominantly located in the central (47.8%) and eastern (30.4%) regions. Hospitals’ ICU bed capacity ranged from 10 to 100, with 82% reporting mixed medical and surgical ICUs. Most CCPs had 4–10 years of critical care experience, and 60% held advanced degrees, with a substantial portion having completed PGY-1 and PGY-2 pharmacy residencies. CCPs were actively involved in patient care, with 86.9% participating in multidisciplinary rounds five days a week. They were engaged in clinical, educational, and administrative activities, with 82.6% involved in retrospective research and educational activities. Furthermore, 78.2% were engaged in pharmacy and therapeutic committees, 56.5% in critical care committees, and 56.5% in pharmacy department policy development.

Conclusion

The study reveals that CCPs in SA play integral roles in ICU patient care and contribute significantly to clinical, educational, and administrative activities. The study highlights the need for standardized CCP-to-patient ratios and further support for CCPs to expand their services, thus contributing to enhanced healthcare quality.

Keywords:

• critical care
• Saudi Arabia
• education
• pharmacy
• research
• pharmacy practice

Data Sharing Statement

The dataset supporting the conclusions of this article is available by request from the corresponding author.

Ethics Approval and Informed Consent

This research followed the relevant guidelines and regulations of the Helsinki Declaration. This study was approved by the Institutional Review Boards of Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal University and King Fahad Hospital of the University (IRB-2021-11-280).

Acknowledgment

The authors thank the Researchers Supporting Project number (RSPD2023R919), King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for their support.

Author Contributions

All authors made substantial contributions to the conception and design, acquisition of data, analysis, and interpretation of data and/or took part in drafting the article or revising it critically for important intellectual content. All authors agreed to submit it to the current journal, gave final approval to the version to be published, and agreed to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.

Additional information

Funding

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.