Table 1 describes the various systems of interest to ombudsmen and consultant pharmacists. Several concerns are common to ombudsmen and consultant pharmacists, while other processes and procedures can be quite different. Resident care Dietary concerns Environment Administration Problems with outside agencies, systems, and people Several problems are of common concern to both types of professionals, including agitated and delusional residents and those with food allergies. For instance, agitated residents are handled similarly by ombudsmen and consultant pharmacists. The major difference is that an ombudsman would focus more on nonpharmacologic methods of control, while the consultant pharmacist's expertise is in pharmacologic methods once other techniques have failed.
Differences lie in the methods used and the ways in which actions are triggered.
Visits of the ombudsman are often unannounced and may occur at any time of the day or night, week, or month. Consultant pharmacists more frequently visit at a prearranged time. The ombudsman reports to his or her respective agency on a monthly basis. The consultant pharmacist reviews findings with the director of nursing or other facility personnel during the monthly exit interview. The long-term care ombudsman, like the consultant pharmacist, can make a difference in the life of a resident.