Pharmacy services in a hospital play a critical role in patient care by providing medication therapy and support to healthcare providers. The following are some of the key services provided by a hospital pharmacy:
- Medication dispensing: This involves filling and dispensing prescription orders for patients, ensuring that the right medication is given to the right patient in the right dose at the right time.
- Medication therapy management: The pharmacist works closely with other healthcare providers to manage and optimize a patient’s medication regimen, taking into account the patient’s medical history, current health status, and other factors.
- Clinical consulting: Hospital pharmacists offer expert advice and recommendations on the use of medications, dosage adjustment, drug interactions, and side effects to healthcare providers.
- Drug information services: Pharmacists in a hospital provide up-to-date information on medications and their use to healthcare providers, patients, and families.
- Sterile compounding: Pharmacists are responsible for the preparation of sterile medication products, such as intravenous (IV) medications, for use in patient care.
- Formulary management: The hospital pharmacy is responsible for maintaining a list of medications (formulary) that are approved for use in the hospital, based on factors such as efficacy, safety, and cost-effectiveness.
- Medication safety: Hospital pharmacists play a key role in ensuring that medications are used safely, through activities such as monitoring for adverse drug reactions, medication errors, and promoting safe medication practices.
In summary, the role of the hospital pharmacy is to provide essential medication-related services and support to healthcare providers, with the goal of improving patient outcomes and ensuring the safe and effective use of medications.