Summaries of Independent Scientist (K) Awards

Kennedy, Amanda

Institution: University of Vermont
Grant Title: Outpatient Prescription Errors
Grant Number:  K08 HS013891
Duration: 5 years (2003-2008)
Total Award: $709,000

Project Description: The goal of this project was to improve outpatient safety. The research plan promoted the understanding of the causes of outpatient prescription errors. The project had three main objectives:

1. To develop and evaluate a novel reporting system in physicians' offices for detecting prescription errors.
2. To develop and evaluate a novel improvement system in community pharmacies to increase prescription error reporting by pharmacists.
3. To analyze reports of outpatient prescription errors and understand their root causes.

Career Goals: Dr. Kennedy is a Research Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Center for Clinical and Translational Science at the University of Vermont and also serves as Director of the Vermont Academic Detailing Program. She received her PharmD from Northeastern University did her pharmacy residency at Fletcher Allen Health Care in Burlington, Vermont. She would like to design and execute solid study designs, conduct analyses, and nationally and locally communicate the results. Dr. Kennedy continues to conduct research on prescribing errors in primary care settings and maintains connections with the pharmacy profession through state and national pharmacy organizations.

Progress to Date: This grant has been completed. The research suggested reporting outpatient prescribing errors is possible in primary care but requires continuing incentives and reminders. Fear of reporting continues to be a major barrier for community pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. .

Highlights and Specific Accomplishments:

• Teaching wise prescribing to Primary Care providers through an Academic Detailing program, sponsored by the University of Vermont's Area Health Education Centers and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont and the Vermont Health Plan.
• Winner, Best Student, Resident, Fellow Paper Award, American College of Clinical Pharmacy Spring Practice and Research Forum, 2002.

K-Generated Publications (selected):

Kennedy AG, Littenberg B.  A dictation system for reporting prescription errors in community pharmacies.  International Journal of Pharmacy Practice 2004. 12:13-19.

Kennedy AG, MacLean CD, Littenberg B, et al. The challenge of achieving national cholesterol goals in patients with diabetes. Diabetes Care 2005. (28)5:1029-34.

Kennedy AG, Littenberg B. Medication error reporting by community pharmacists in Vermont. Journal of the American Pharmacists Association 2004. 44:434-38.

Kennedy AG, Aiken. A survey of the medication error experiences of pharmacy technicians. Journal of Pharmacy Technology 2006. 22:42-7.

Kennedy AG. Reducing pharmacy "telephone tag". Clinical Advisor 2009:85.

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