What is the purpose of documenting which pharmacist performs each DUR function?

Documenting which pharmacist performs each Drug Utilization Review (DUR) function is essential for ensuring that these reviews are being conducted adequately. This process involves systematic evaluation of patients' medications to identify potential drug-related problems, verify the appropriateness of therapy, and enhance overall patient safety. By clearly documenting which pharmacist is responsible for each DUR, a pharmacy can monitor the quality and effectiveness of the reviews being performed.

This documentation serves not only as a record of accountability but also helps in maintaining a standard of care within the pharmacy. It allows for tracking performance, identifying any gaps in the review process, and ensuring that appropriate measures are taken to uphold quality assurance. Specifically, if there are issues in the DUR performance, the documentation can highlight the need for additional training or support for individual pharmacists, thereby contributing to continuous improvement in the pharmacy's services.

While maintaining patient confidentiality and workload reporting are important aspects of pharmacy practice, they do not directly address the quality assurance function provided by tracking which pharmacist performs each DUR. Such documentation is not primarily aimed at allowing other staff to take over DURs, but rather at ensuring that the established standards for reviews are met consistently.