Merav Maisel
Carmel Medical Center, Israel
Title: Geriatric and pharmacological consultation in the hospital`s hemato-oncology unit
Biography
Biography: Merav Maisel
Abstract
Carmel Medical Centre is a 500-bed general hospital, located in the north of Israel. The hematology unit provides a large verity of procedures and treatments including chemotherapy and advanced biological and immunotherapy protocols. Following the histotype-tailored chemotherapy order made by the oncologist, treatment preparation takes place in the pharmacy by experienced pharmacists. In the last few years we have witnessed an exciting scientific breakthrough in the development of biologic and immunotherapy drugs used in hemato malignancies. New medications are based on biological mechanism and are safer for use. Their efficiency, together with relatively high safety, allows a vast of geriatric patient to use those medications. The geriatric patient usually has chronic diseases and chronic medications and so a specific compatibility is needed between those and the medication used for the hematological disease. Polypharmacy is a known risk factor among elderly patients and the risk increases significantly as they are facing chemotherapy treatments. The aim of our project is to supply a personal package, including geriatric evaluation and pharmacological consultation, for geriatric patient that are being treated in the hemato-oncology unit for improving the patient treatment in all aspects and providing him with a "tailored suit” treatment.
After the need which was flooded by the hematologists, a multidisciplinary team was formed: a geriatrician, a pharmacist specialized in hematological medications, a pharmacist specialized in the geriatric population and a nurse from the hematology unit. Patient from the age of 75 and above and are due to begin chemical and/or biological treatment, are invited for a 1 hour consultation with the team. The patient is asked to bring all his medications and usually is accompanied by a family member. The geriatric doctor performs a geriatric assessment and the medications are being examined by the pharmacists. The patients are also asked to bring all herbal medications, vitamins etc. The patient and his caretaker have time to ask questions. After the meeting, 2 consultation summaries are provided-geriatric and pharmacologic. The summary includes recommendations for the hematologic doctor, for the family physician and for the patient himself. Medication Information sheets written by the pharmacists allow the hemato-oncology medical team a clear and accessible approach to pharmacological knowledge. In 2021, 20 patients were examined. All were given detailed recommendation letters. The medical team and the consultation have many advantages: Receiving geriatric assessment and pharmacological consultation, Providing the opportunity to explain his condition and ask specific questions, Receiving detailed explanation about the patient, his ability to the undergo chemotherapy treatment and a full revaluation of the patients medications including specific adjustments, Receiving medical Information sheets that can provide the team with more accessible information and can which help him explaining the patient about the treatment.