Interprofessional Student Rotation Optimizes Quality Improvement Efforts

Zak Agherrabi, MCW Pharmacy student, was critical in optimizing influenza vaccine documentation during his interprofessional education (IPE) IPPE rotation at the Sargeant Internal Medicine Clinic on the Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin campus. The clinic identified missing documentation of influenza vaccines. To ensure appropriate documentation and to minimize repeat vaccinations, Agherrabi analyzed patient charts and made patient phone calls.

He identified 72 patients who had incomplete influenza vaccinations in EPIC. He called those patients and found out whether or not they had actually received the vaccination. The charts and the Wisconsin Immunization Registry (WIR) were updated for the 51 patients (71%) who had already received their vaccine. Agherrabi saved the clinic a substantial amount of time and money by identifying and reversing these errors. He also prevented patient health and safety issues by ensuring patients were not receiving duplicate immunizations.

Agherrabi’s preceptor, Sally Firth, BS, RRT, RPFT, RCP, Clinic Manager at Sargeant Health Center in the Internal Medicine Clinic, stated:

“This was the first rotation of its kind in MCW’s pharmacy school and has proven to be very valuable. Pharmacists have a lot to offer in the clinical setting – as we see daily from [our internal medicine pharmacist] – and it’s great to be included in the curriculum.”

The MCW School of Pharmacy rolled out the first round of IPE IPPE rotations in Fall 2018. These rotations, precepted by non-pharmacist members of the health care team, allow students to experience healthcare delivery from the viewpoint of a profession different than their own. The goal of these rotations is for students to gain a new understanding and appreciation of the role of each member of the healthcare team. The rotation also teaches students how working together efficiently and effectively improves the care of the patient. Students are required to complete a site-assigned project during their ten-week rotation.

“Interprofessional rotations are an innovative part of our experiential curriculum, allowing pharmacy students to practice within a multidisciplinary healthcare environment. This experience enhances understanding of other healthcare disciplines and demonstrates how the healthcare team works together to optimize patient care," says Sara Revolinski, PharmD, BCPS, Director of Experiential Education and Assistant Professor in the Department of Clinical Sciences.