For Collaborative Drug Therapy Management, what is required?

For Collaborative Drug Therapy Management (CDTM) to be valid and effective, it is essential to have both a CDTM agreement and a patient-specific written protocol in place. The CDTM agreement establishes a formal relationship between the pharmacist and the physician, detailing the responsibilities of each party, the medications involved, and the objectives of the management plan. This agreement lays the foundation for collaboration in managing a patient's drug therapy.

In addition to the agreement, the patient-specific written protocol is crucial as it provides detailed instructions on how to manage a particular patient's therapy. This protocol may include specific parameters for monitoring drug therapy, dosing adjustments, and criteria for referral back to the prescribing physician. Together, these documents ensure that the pharmacist operates within a clear framework, guided by the physician's treatment plans while allowing for professional decision-making regarding patient care.

Having just one of the documents—either the CDTM agreement or a patient-specific written protocol—would not sufficiently establish the collaborative management process or ensure that patient care is adequately addressed. The lack of formal agreements would lead to ambiguity in responsibilities and procedures, which could ultimately compromise patient safety and the quality of care. Thus, both components are integral for effective CDTM.