When we hear the word ‘pharmacy’, the first thought that strikes our mind is dispensing and supplying medications required by the patients. But is that the only job of a pharmacist? Along with the healthcare environment, the role of hospital pharmacists is evolving like never before!
The programs led by the 24-hour pharmacy department ease care transitions by addressing medication adherence, reducing the occurrence of adverse drug events, and lowering readmission of patients through optimal services such as bedside prescription, prompt counseling before discharge, and telephonic consultations.
While delivering medications is the utmost priority of the pharmacy department, their role extends far beyond – rightly in patient care. Read on to understand the contribution of hospital pharmacists in enhancing patient outcomes.
Role of Hospital’s Pharmacists
One of the vital healthcare teams of the hospital, pharmacy hasn’t got much recognition among the patients and caregivers. Involved in manufacturing, developing, testing, supplying, and monitoring the effectiveness of all of the medicines used in the treatment, every pharmacist specializes in wider aspects of hospital functioning. Most importantly in developing protocols and discussing regulations with the doctors and nurses, these technicians work closely with all the associates that run amidst the management.
The duties and responsibilities of a hospital pharmacist are given below:
- Compounding and dispensing for indoor and outdoor patient departments.
- Preparation and sterilization of injectable medications
- Filing and labeling of medical stocks
- Proper maintenance of records (especially narcotic medications)
- Maintaining sufficient stock of emergency medicines
- Conducting quality check of the source of purchase (medicines, antibiotics, biological products and other pharmaceutical items)
- Sharing details of medicine to doctors, specialists, interns, and nurses.
- Planning and executing the pharmacy & therapeutic committee.
- Ensuring that the supply of medicines is within the law
- Making sure that the prescribed medications are suitable for the patients
- Advising patients according to their symptoms ( how & when to take them, possible reactions, pre-allergy information, answering patient’s doubts and so on)
- Supporting patients to make healthier choices, directing them towards nutritious diet and suitable exercises.
Improve hospital healthcare infrastructure
Hospital pharmacists are fully qualified to understand the medical history, lifestyle, existing medication, and beliefs of the patient and follow individualized treatment plans. For cases that offer a greater degree of complexity, hospital pharmacists can impart their skills particularly to those who are affected with chronic conditions such as heart, liver, or kidney diseases. Once the information is obtained, the team of pharmacists helps in delivering qualified decisions for prescribing medication. Both physicians and pharmacists meet patients from the point of diagnosis through treatment to coordinate better care. In this way, patients and caregivers can develop a better understanding of health conditions, and the requirement of prescribed medications while optimizing the treatment plan.
Conclusion-
Hospital pharmacists operate in different departments in a set amount of time including clinical wards and medicinal processes. Working in rotation allows pharmacists to develop well-rounded skill sets in every specialization that ultimately promotes the safe use of medications and improves overall patient outcomes.
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