Introduction to Hospital Pharmacy Practice - Flashcards

Set of practice-focused flashcards covering key concepts from the Hospital Pharmacy Practice lecture notes, including definitions, standards, roles, and procedures.

What is hospital pharmacy?

A healthcare service comprising the art, practice, and profession of choosing, preparing, storing, compounding, and dispensing medicines and medical devices; advising patients, doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals; an integrated part of patient health care in a health facility.

Who should direct the hospital pharmacy department?

A professionally competent, legally qualified pharmacist who oversees the department and its functions.

What two settings are included in hospital pharmacy settings?

In-patient pharmacy setting and out-patient pharmacy setting.

What is the difference between a goal and an objective in hospital pharmacy?

A goal is a broad, long-term achievable outcome; an objective is a shorter-term, measurable action to achieve the goal.

Name three components of the Goals of Hospital Pharmacy as described in the notes.

1) Achieve optimal therapeutic outcomes, medication safety, and quality service; 2) Apply new methods/techniques for pharmaceutical care and patient safety; 3) Elevate pharmacy stature via automation and capacity building.

List the main objectives of Hospital Pharmacy.

Provide continuous supply of safe, quality, cost-effective products; manage operations efficiently; deliver patient-centered pharmaceutical care; enhance pharmacist competence; conduct/research/education; integrate latest technology; participate in CQI.

What does computerization of the pharmacy aim to enable?

Staff to participate in patient education programs, poison control activities, patient drug use profiles, parenteral nutrition programs, teaching/research, and information dissemination within the hospital.

What are the Standard topics covered by the Minimum Standards for Hospital Pharmacy?

Standards I–IX: Practice Management, Medication-Use Policy Development, Optimizing Medication Therapy, Drug Product Procurement and Inventory Management, Preparing/Packaging/Labeling Medications, Medication Dispensing and Delivery, Monitoring Medication Use, Evaluating the Effectiveness of the Medication-Use System, and Research.

What is Standard I in Hospital Pharmacy Practice?

Practice Management.

What are some key elements of Standard I: Practice Management?

Effective leadership, mission/24-hour operation, and compliance with relevant government bodies and regulations.

What is the purpose of Policy and Procedures Manual in Standard I?

To govern administrative, operational, and clinical pharmacy functions and ensure all personnel follow the established policies and procedures.

What does Emergency Preparedness in Standard I entail?

Pharmacy policies for safe and orderly evacuation, infection control, hazardous substances management, and incident reporting, coordinated with the hospital plan.

What are Code Carts as described in the notes?

Crash carts or emergency carts containing frequently used drugs and equipment, with supplies replenished and arranged for rapid access.

What is the role of Immunization Programs in the pharmacy setting?

Pharmacy participates in immunization program development; pharmacists may act as active immunizers for hospital or system-based programs when practical.

What should Position Descriptions include in the Pharmacy HR standards?

Clearly defined areas of responsibility, required competencies, and written job descriptions for personnel, including the Director, pharmacists, and support staff.

What qualifications should the Director of Pharmacy have?

Professionally competent, legally qualified, with thorough knowledge and experience in hospital pharmacy practice and management.

What HR areas are emphasized for hospital pharmacy staff?

Adequate number of competent pharmacists, sufficient support personnel, education/training, recruitment and retention, orientation, work schedules, performance evaluation, and ethical conduct.

What facilities and space considerations are highlighted for hospital pharmacy?

Adequate space, equipment, and supplies; compliant with laws; accessible to patients, nurses, prescribers; integrated with hospital communications and delivery systems.

What are the requirements for medication storage and preparation areas?

Facilities that maintain proper sanitation, temperature, light, moisture, ventilation, segregation, and security to ensure medication integrity and staff safety.

What is the purpose of compounding areas in the hospital pharmacy?

Facilities for sterile and non-sterile compounding and labeling of medications, including handling of hazardous drugs, under QA procedures.

What is a Laminar Flow Hood used for?

An aseptic work area within the compounding lab to protect staff and materials during sterile preparation.

What is the purpose of a Patient Assessment and Consultation Area?

A private space in outpatient settings for pharmacist-patient consultations to enhance understanding and adherence.

What IT systems are emphasized for hospital pharmacy?

A comprehensive, integrated pharmacy computer system linked with hospital information systems (CPOE, EHR, medication administration, patient billing).

What is Formulary Management?

Maintaining a well-controlled formulary; P&T committee sets drug selection criteria and product specifications; policies for procurement and use of non-formulary medications.

What is Drug Information’s role in the hospital pharmacy?

Provide patient-specific drug information and timely, accurate drug therapy information to health professionals and patients; disseminate information through publications and programs.

What does Standard III (Optimizing Medication Therapy) emphasize?

Creating a relationship with patients, engaging in medication therapy management, immunization, medication ordering/administration, and continuity of care across transitions.

What is the importance of patient confidentiality in pharmacy practice?

Systems must maintain patient confidentiality in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

What data should pharmacists obtain for each patient?

Comprehensive medication histories from medical records or databases; a pharmacist-conducted medication history is desirable.

What is required for medication orders and documentation?

All orders should be in the patient’s medical record; pharmacist review of orders should be prospective before the first dose in standard situations.

What is meant by Drug Delivery Systems and Administration?

Pharmacy develops policies and QA programs for delivery systems and devices to ensure safety, accuracy, security, and confidentiality.

Who should administer medications in the hospital?

Only personnel authorized by the hospital and properly trained may administer medications; all doses administered, refused, or omitted should be documented.

What does Medication Therapy Monitoring involve?

Pharmacists assess therapeutic appropriateness, duplications/omissions, dosing and route, adherence, interactions, labs, adverse effects, allergies, and overall effectiveness.

What is the role of Pharmacists in patient education and counseling?

Pharmacists educate patients and families, ensuring adequate information about medications to promote adherence and informed decisions.

What is involved in the quality assessment and improvement of pharmacy services?

Documentation of patient care services and outcomes; workload and financial performance; medication-use evaluation; antimicrobial stewardship; safety monitoring.

What is Medication-Use Evaluation (MUE)?

An ongoing program to monitor drug utilization and costs, with defined parameters by the P&T committee to drive improvements.

What is the role of antimicrobial stewardship?

Policies to promote optimal antimicrobial use, reduce infection transmission, and involve pharmacists in stewardship activities and related committees.

How are investigational drugs managed in hospital pharmacy?

Pharmacy oversees procurement, distribution, and control of investigational drugs; IRB approval is required; informed consent and protocol adherence are essential.

What is the Institutional Review Board (IRB) requirement for pharmacists?

Pharmacists should be members of the hospital's IRB (or equivalent) where applicable.

What are the Competency Standards for Pharmacists (General Idea)?

Standards cover dispensing quality and validation, compounding, patient counseling, patient safety, and involvement in business/operations and management.

What are the elements of Competency Standard No. 1?

Providing quality medicines, ensuring good dispensing practice, validating prescriptions, maintaining patient records, promoting safe and effective use, and accurate dispensing.

What does Competency Standard No. 2 cover?

Compound drug products following systematic processes, sterile and non-sterile preparation, adherence to recognized standards, and labeling optimization.

What does Competency Standard No. 3 focus on?

Counseling patients with structured, tailored communication to improve adherence and safety, and referring to other providers when appropriate.

What does Competency Standard No. 4 emphasize?

Active participation in patient safety, health promotion, continuity of care, and management of disease states.

What does Competency Standard No. 5 cover?

Ensuring financial viability, managing human resources, procuring equipment/resources, inventory oversight, and merchandising/marketing strategies.