Clinical reasoning
A woman came to the pharmacy seeking treatment for a urinary tract infection. As part of my assessment, I reviewed her provincial health records to check her kidney function and any recent bloodwork. I noticed she hadn’t had any blood tests in over ten years and didn’t have a family doctor. After confirming her UTI diagnosis, I provided a prescription and recommended she get routine bloodwork done.
About a month later, the lab results came back showing critically low hemoglobin and iron levels. She was severely anemic. I called her right away, explained the findings, and urged her to go to the emergency room immediately. She went that day and required an urgent iron transfusion.
Her care continued with weekly Vitamin B12 injections for three months after. Later, she expressed her gratitude for the broader approach—treating more than just her UTI—and said she felt fortunate that the bloodwork was ordered.
Because of a pharmacist, something important happened.
