Patient compliance and blood pressure control on a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier: Impact of a pharmacy officer

The impact of a pharmacy officer on patient compliance and blood pressure c ontrol on a deployed nuclear-powered aircraft carrier for a 2-week at-sea p eriod was evaluated. Before any counseling by a pharmacy officer, 43 crewme mbers on chronic medications anonymously completed a compliance questionnai re. The pharmacy officer then counseled these crewmembers. A follow-up comp liance questionnaire was completed 2 weeks later. After counseling, complia nce had increased 58% (p < 0.0001) from compliance measured before counseli ng. The pharmacy officer also initiated therapeutic interventions. Among 26 crewmembers diagnosed as hypertensive, preintervention blood pressure (BP) measurements were obtained. Ten to 14 days after the initial BP measuremen t, BP was remeasured. After intervention, 31% (p < 0.02) more crewmembers m ere at BP goal compared with before intervention. A pharmacy officer, worki ng closely with a medical officer, improved patient compliance and blood pr essure control. One problem identified was that these warships require comp uter software that can prospectively identify drug-drug interactions.