OBJECTIVES: A framework to evaluate the impact of clinical pharmacists in Intensive Care Units (ICUs) in Chile has not yet been established. This study evaluates the cost avoidance and cost benefit ratios of clinical pharmacist interventions in terms of treatment optimization in an adult ICU in Chile.

METHODS: Clinical pharmacist interventions in a multidisciplinary, adult ICU were assessed between January to December 2019. Pharmacists suggested interventions to the rest of the healthcare team, and only accepted interventions were included in the analysis. Interventions were classified into six categories, and cost avoidance (in US dollars) was calculated for each category using a systematic validated approach. A cost-benefit ratio for clinical pharmacy services in the adult ICU was also calculated.

RESULTS: Over a year, 504 interventions were performed in 167 patients, of whom 38% were female. Interventions were classified within six categories: adverse drug event prevention (18%), which led to $85,982 in savings; resource utilization (i.e., change in medication route) (10%), which led to $41,989 in savings; individualization of patient care (i.e., dose adjustment) (36%), which led to $55,871 in savings; prophylaxis (i.e., initiation of stress ulcer prophylaxis) (<1%), which led to $164 in savings; hands-on care (i.e., emergency code sepsis participation) (23%), which led to $56,846 in savings; and administrative and supportive tasks (i.e., patient own medication evaluation) (13%), which led to $10,556 in savings. The total cost savings over the year-long period were $251,408, resulting in a cost-benefit ratio of 1:23, which was calculated by comparing the clinical pharmacist’s monthly salary ($10,880) to the total cost savings.

CONCLUSIONS: Having a clinical pharmacist as part of the multidisciplinary ICU team reduces health care expenditures through treatment optimization translated into cost avoidance. This study has corroborated prior evidence that clinical pharmacist involvement in ICUs provides economic value and quality assurance in healthcare settings.