Intensive care units (ICUs) have a highly complex structure in terms of both
diseases and medications used in treatment. Therefore, the management of ICU patients
is possible with a multidisciplinary team. With their evolving skills and roles, clinical
pharmacists have become indispensable parts of the ICU team. This section reviews
ICU-specific issues such as the control of delirium, sedation, pain, stress ulcer
prophylaxis, venous thromboembolism prophylaxis, sepsis, septic shock, prevention of
drug-related problems (DRPs), healthcare-associated infections, and literature on the
roles of clinical pharmacists. The studies carried out in the ICU are mainly within the
scope of medication cost savings, DRPs, medication management, and compliance with
the guidelines on various issues. In conclusion, it has been emphasized that including
clinical pharmacists in the ICU team has improved many issues affecting DRPs,
treatment costs, and patient health outcomes.
Keywords: Antimicrobial, Clinical pharmacist, Clinical pharmacy, Intensive care unit, Infection, Medication costs, Stress ulcer prophylaxis, Sepsis, Therapeutic drug monitoring, Venous thromboembolism.
