Hospital / Health System Overview
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A hospital (health system) pharmacy is responsible for procuring,
preparing, dispensing, and managing medications for patients admitted
to the hospital (in-patients) and in certain cases, patients in the local
community (out-patients). The hospital pharmacy staff ensures the six
rights (the right patient, medication, indication, dose, time, and route).
Hospital pharmacies also provide services like drug therapy management,
clinical consultation, and patient education to optimize therapeutic
outcomes.
Hospital pharmacies typically consist of a team of pharmacists, pharmacy
technicians, and pharmacy interns who work closely with doctors,
nurses, and other healthcare providers. The team often includes clinical
pharmacists who specialize in particular areas (e.g., oncology, pediatrics,
or critical care) and medication safety officers who focus on minimizing
medication errors and improving patient outcomes. In-patient hospital
pharmacies are closed to the public (closed-door pharmacy), while an out-
patient pharmacy in a hospital is open to the public and operates similarly
to a retail/community pharmacy.
1. Medication Procurement and Inventory Management:
Ensuring the hospital is stocked with all necessary medications and pharmaceutical supplies.
2. Medication Dispensing:
Preparing and dispensing medications based on prescriptions written by physicians and other healthcare providers. This includes
both standard oral medications and specialized preparations like intravenous fluids, chemotherapeutic agents, and parenteral
nutrition.
3. Clinical Consultation and Drug Information:
Providing clinical expertise to healthcare providers on the safe and effective use of medications, including identifying drug
interactions, recommending alternative treatments, and adjusting doses based on patient conditions (e.g., renal function, age,
comorbidities).
4. Compounding:
Preparing customized medications, particularly when commercially available products do not meet specific patient needs (e.g.,
compounded chemotherapy drugs, pain management injections).
5. Patient Safety and Monitoring:
Ensuring that medication use is safe, effective, and tailored to the individual needs of patients. This includes checking for adverse
drug reactions (ADRs), therapeutic drug monitoring, and assessing for drug-drug interactions.
6. Education and Training:
Educating healthcare providers, patients, and caregivers about the proper use of medications, potential side effects, and the
importance of adherence to prescribed regimens.
7. Regulatory Compliance:
Ensuring that the pharmacy department follows all relevant federal and state regulations, including those related to controlled
substances, proper storage conditions, and the handling of hazardous medications.
Key Functions & Characteristics