Pharmacists Highlight Vital Role in Improving Patient Safety
10/17/2010
PALESTINE, TX — Pharmacists at Palestine Regional will use National Hospital & Health-System Pharmacy Week, October 17-23, 2010, to underscore the many new and vital roles they now play in patient care. The evolution has been especially dramatic in recent years as pharmacists have moved beyond compounding and dispensing medications to become vital members of multidisciplinary patient-care teams.
“Many consumers are not aware that pharmacists play a critical role in preventing medication errors, advising prescribers on the best drug choices, and working directly with patients to ensure they understand how to use their medications safely and effectively,” said Ann Frame, RPh, Director of Pharmacy. “Pharmacy Week is a great way to educate the public about how pharmacists can help them get the most benefit from their medicine.”
During Pharmacy Week the Palestine Regional pharmacy department will conduct tours of the department for physicians and staff members in order to better acquaint them with the services provided.
Hospital and health-system pharmacists have been able to take on enhanced patient-care roles because of a number of factors, including the deployment of highly trained, certified technicians and new technologies like automated dispensing machines. As technology evolves—such as the addition of machine-readable codes to medication labels—patients will have greater opportunities to have a pharmacist involved in their care.
Pharmacists are experts on the thousands of medications available today, how each one works in the body, and the ways to use each one safely and effectively. Pharmacists who graduate today receive six years of education focused on medication therapy, and many pharmacists practicing in hospitals and health systems also complete post-graduate residency programs. They advise doctors and nurses on the best medications and monitor every patient’s medication therapy and provide quality checks to detect and prevent harmful drug interactions, reactions, or mistakes.
(left to right) Terri Parker, CPhT, tech supervisor; Kristi Holman, CPhT; Thomas “Buddy” Epps, RPh; John Diaz, CPhT; and Lindsay Hargrave, CPhT.
Not Pictured: Sabrina Anderson, tech; Debbie Thomason, CPhT; Sharmia Thomas, PharD and Ann Frame, RPh, Director of Pharmacy.