|
|
|
|
Pharmacy Week to shine light on services offered
|
This is the
week to say thanks to a pharmacist with Oct. 17 through 23 declared
National Hospital and Health-System Pharmacy Week.
Genevieve Hayes, PharmD, said it’s an important week because it helps
shine a light on the essential services pharmacists provide to the
health care team.
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, she
said.
“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. Pharmacy Week is a
great way to educate the public about how pharmacists can help them get
the most benefit from their medicine,” said Hayes, a health system
pharmacy administration resident.
Pharmacists who graduate today receive a minimum of six years of
education focused on medication therapy, and many pharmacists
practicing at MUSC also have completed post-graduate residency
programs. They advise physicians 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.
At MUSC, there are a variety of roles that pharmacists play.
Centralized pharmacists and pharmacy technicians prepare, dispense and
distribute medications for patients in the hospital. Patient care
pharmacists generally work on a specific floor in the hospital,
entering and evaluating orders and working with house staff. Clinical
specialist pharmacists attend rounds with the medical teams. By
directly interacting with physicians, they are at the bedside helping
the medical team make decisions on the patient’s care. Bolstering their
integration in clinical care, MUSC pharmacists also have an on-call
system. The house staff can utilize this resource to assist with
medication-related questions.
“From providing drug information resources and technology design to
helping patients afford their medication, the pharmacy department
touches all aspects of patient care,” she said. “Each type of
pharmacist has their own duties, but the common goal is to provide
excellent patient care.”
Hayes encourages employees and patients to take advantage of
pharmacists, who always are available to consult on medications. They
can provide vital information about why medicines were prescribed, how
they are supposed to work, and what the possible side effects may be.
The pharmacists also can help patients know how to safely keep
medicines at home, what foods or activities to stay away from, and what
to do if a dose of medicine is missed.
Here are some tips from the Pharmacy Department on safe medication use
while you are in the hospital:
- Bring a list of
the medicines you take, including medicines prescribed by your doctor,
medicines you purchased at a drug or grocery store like pain relievers,
cold medicine, vitamins and nutritional supplements.
- Tell your doctor
or nurse about any medicines you aren’t supposed to take and why.
- When you check in
to the hospital, ask how to contact the on-site pharmacist.
- Ask the names of
the medicines you are receiving while in the hospital.
- Ask if there are
any foods, drinks, other medicines, or activities that you should stay
away from, such as driving, while taking the medicine.
- Ask about anything
that the medicine might cause, like sleepiness, an upset stomach, or a
dry throat.
- Keep any
written information you are given about the medicine.
- Ask questions
about anything that you don’t understand or that doesn’t seem
right.
- Watch out for
unexpected changes in your medicines, such as a change in color or
shape.
- Ask a friend or
relative to help you follow these suggestions if you need help.
Friday, Oct. 15, 2010
|
|
|
