Podcast
Questions and Answers
What primary role does a community pharmacist fulfill today?
What primary role does a community pharmacist fulfill today?
Which of the following is a clinical responsibility of a community pharmacist?
Which of the following is a clinical responsibility of a community pharmacist?
What task is included in the business-related responsibilities of a community pharmacist?
What task is included in the business-related responsibilities of a community pharmacist?
During which step in the prescription process does a pharmacist check the prescription for completeness?
During which step in the prescription process does a pharmacist check the prescription for completeness?
Signup and view all the answers
Which activity is NOT typically part of a community pharmacist's role?
Which activity is NOT typically part of a community pharmacist's role?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a key function of the Prescription Entry phase?
What is a key function of the Prescription Entry phase?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following responsibilities involves advising healthcare professionals on drug decisions?
Which of the following responsibilities involves advising healthcare professionals on drug decisions?
Signup and view all the answers
What is involved in monitoring patients' health regarding medication use?
What is involved in monitoring patients' health regarding medication use?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following activities can community pharmacists engage in to promote health and wellness?
Which of the following activities can community pharmacists engage in to promote health and wellness?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of these is a non-clinical responsibility of a community pharmacist?
Which of these is a non-clinical responsibility of a community pharmacist?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the primary role of technology in the filling process at a pharmacy?
What is the primary role of technology in the filling process at a pharmacy?
Signup and view all the answers
Which personnel is typically responsible for entering prescriptions into the pharmacy system?
Which personnel is typically responsible for entering prescriptions into the pharmacy system?
Signup and view all the answers
What key information must be verified when receiving a new prescription?
What key information must be verified when receiving a new prescription?
Signup and view all the answers
During the verification process, what must the pharmacist do?
During the verification process, what must the pharmacist do?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the purpose of the consultation window in a pharmacy?
What is the purpose of the consultation window in a pharmacy?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a critical reason for reviewing new prescriptions carefully?
What is a critical reason for reviewing new prescriptions carefully?
Signup and view all the answers
What extra information is required for prescriptions of controlled substances?
What extra information is required for prescriptions of controlled substances?
Signup and view all the answers
What role do pharmacists play in health education?
What role do pharmacists play in health education?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following should NOT be included in the verification of patient information?
Which of the following should NOT be included in the verification of patient information?
Signup and view all the answers
What does SIG stand for in relation to prescriptions?
What does SIG stand for in relation to prescriptions?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Community Pharmacist Role
- Community pharmacists historically served as a primary healthcare contact, acting as chemists, doctors, and counselors.
- Today, they ensure safe, legal, and ethical prescription processing while educating patients about medication.
Pharmacist Responsibilities
Clinical Responsibilities
- Critically evaluate prescription orders, offering medication therapy management.
- Compound non-sterile medications.
- Evaluate patients for self-care, recommending solutions or referrals.
- Provide drug information to both professionals and the public.
- Promote wellness through education, immunizations, and screenings.
- Monitor patient health through medication use.
- Educate patients about prescriptions and over-the-counter medications.
- Reduce adverse drug reactions by monitoring medication use.
- Advise healthcare professionals on drug decisions.
- Provide drug information and immunizations.
Business-Related Responsibilities
- Manage pharmacy personnel, including scheduling.
- Manage finances, including tracking profit and loss.
- Handle order procurement and inventory management.
- Work with insurance companies for billing and prescription processing.
- Ensure administrative supplies (paper, labels, etc.) are available.
- Maintain licensure through continuing education.
- Participate in quality reporting and improvement programs.
Prescription Process
Drop-off Window
- Patients present prescriptions.
- Pharmacy staff verify information, availability, and estimate wait times.
Prescription Entry
- Prescription data entry into the system.
- Often connected to the drop-off window, but can be separate.
- Maintain and update patient profiles.
Filling Station
- Prescription filling following strict procedures, including NDC numbers, double-counting controlled substances.
- Utilizing technology like barcoding and NDC numbers.
- Manual counting of medications using trays and spatulas.
Verification
- Pharmacist verifies prescriptions against originals, recalculates dosages, inspects medications, and checks NDC numbers.
- Single-prescription focus to avoid errors.
Pickup Window
- Patient identity verification.
- Patient question answering and prescription counseling, as needed for new prescriptions.
Consultation Window
- Private counseling area for new prescriptions and over-the-counter products.
- Patient confidentiality.
Telephone
- Professional phone handling, triaging calls for new prescriptions, transfers, and inquiries.
Pharmacy Workstations
- Drop-off window
- Prescription entry
- Filling station
- Verification
- Pickup window
- Consultation window
- Telephone
Pharmacy Personnel
- Cashier
- Technician
- Intern
- Staff Pharmacist
- Pharmacy Manager
Receiving a New Prescription
- Introduce self (name, role, pharmacy).
- Verify patient information (name, DOB, address, contact).
- Verify patient allergies and insurance.
- Confirm medication availability and prescription completeness.
- Answer patient questions.
- Provide estimated completion time.
Types of Prescriptions
- Written
- Faxed
- E-prescriptions
- Phoned-in (live or voicemail)
- Transfers
Inputting a Prescription
- Technician or intern reviews the prescription for accuracy and completeness.
- Critical step for patient safety.
Information Needed on a Prescription
Patient Information
- Name, DOB, address, phone, allergies (specific allergen & reaction).
Insurance Information
- Front and back of insurance card.
Prescription Information
- Drug name, strength, directions (SIG), quantity, refills.
Prescriber Information
- Name, address, phone, NPI, DEA (controlled substances).
Additional Information (Controlled Substances)
- Prescriber's DEA number.
- Detailed numerical and alphabetical quantity.
- Specific use instructions.
- Tamper-resistant prescription pads.
Reviewing New Prescriptions
- Patient name and date of birth.
- Prescription date of issuance.
- Drug name, strength, and dosage form.
- Directions (SIG) - amount/unit, frequency, route.
- Total quantity dispensed.
- Number of refills.
- Prescriber signature.
- Prescriber details (name, address, phone).
- DAW (dispense as written) line (generic substitution).
SIG Codes
- Used by pharmacists to interpret and understand prescription instructions.
Health Educators
- Pharmacists educate on medications and health conditions.
- They are trusted healthcare professionals readily accessible.
Communication
- Effective communication crucial for optimal patient care by pharmacists.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
This quiz explores the pivotal role of community pharmacists in today's healthcare environment. It covers both clinical and business-related responsibilities, emphasizing their function in patient education, medication management, and wellness promotion. Test your knowledge about the diverse duties pharmacists perform in supporting community health.
