Module 8: Pharmacy Services

Welcome to Pharmacy Services!

A pharmacist is a state licensed professional who prepares, preserves, compounds, and dispenses drugs. Pharmacists play a vital role in patient care by educating physicians and nurses to recent developments in drug therapy, and developing drug policies and control systems. In addition, the hospital pharmacist also prepares and maintains the hospital's formulary (a listing of drugs available through the pharmacy). In many respects, computerization of the pharmacy is similar to computerization in the laboratory. Medication Administration Record (MAR) systems provide more accurate control of pharmacy inventories, and greater control over drugs. Whether within an EHR or manual system, all medication administrations must be charted and comprise an important part of the patient's medical record. Also, automated medication dispensing systems such as Pyxis TM provide access to medications on the patient care units. These automated dispensing systems (ADS) support the control and security of medications and medications removed from the automated system have to match physician's orders, in accordance with Federal, State, and hospital guidelines. Automation of pharmacy functions also includes: systems that improve departmental operations, integrated medication ordering systems, systems that provide electronic data interchange between pharmacies, on-line computer-based drug information, and computerized quality management systems.