Pharmacists’ role in managing medication use for patients undergoing interventional radiology procedures

Abstract

Background: Pharmacological management in patients undergoing interventional radiology (IR) procedures usually requires complex regimens involving anticoagulants, sedatives and contrast agents. An understanding of approaches to pharmacists’ practice in patients’ care and safety and resulting evidence emphasize the importance of pharmacists in improving patient safety and outcome and reducing adverse events in high-risk environments.
Aim: To identify and assess the potential of pharmacists in the management of medication for the patients receiving IR procedures in terms of patients’ safety, treatment effectiveness, and rates of complications.
Materials and Methods: A systematic review was done on related articles from the databases including PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus with articles from the year 2019-2024 to be included in the study. Search terms used included “pharmacists,” “IR,” “medication safety,” and “contrast agents.” The included articles were identified by applying set inclusion criteria and assessed for outcomes regarding implementing pharmacist intensified interventions in IR context.
Results: Out 90 studies included in the search, only 8 matched the inclusion criteria. These studies also showed that pharmacists were effective in the reduction of medication errors, better handling of contrast-induced nephropathy, and procedural safety and patient satisfaction by their active participation in the treatment team.
Conclusion: Pharmacists have an essential function in the management of medications for patients undergoing IR procedures, enhancing patients’ lives and decreasing adverse effects. Increased investment in training initiatives and the incorporation of sophisticated technologies may help to build upon these benefits. Future research should focus on cost-effectiveness and long-term impacts of pharmacist-led interventions in IR.