Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee Overview

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Questions and Answers

Why is it important to have information readily available for treating patients with accidental overdose symptoms?

To assist physicians in making informed decisions based on available data. (correct)

To reduce the need for written consent from patients.

To ensure physicians can provide faster treatment without any assistance.

To allow physicians to share information across different hospitals effectively.

What is necessary to maintain an uninterrupted dosage schedule for investigational drugs?

Conducting dosage changes only when the principal investigator is present.

Availability of the investigational drug at all times, including nights and weekends. (correct)

Restricting the distribution of investigational drugs to specific staff members.

Limited access to investigational drugs during the hours of the principal investigator.

What practice is commonly followed regarding the use of investigational drugs?

Verbal consent to expedite the treatment process.

Patient consent obtained post-treatment.

Administrative approval without patient consent.

Written consent from patients prior to drug administration. (correct)

Which of the following is NOT listed as a defect regarding drug reporting?

Properly documented storage conditions. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What role does the Pharmacy and Therapeutic Committee have in emergency preparedness?

To develop a list of necessary drugs and supplies for an emergency box. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main advisory role of the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee (PC)?

To recommend policies on drug use to the medical staff and administration (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following professionals is NOT included in the composition of the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee?

Sales representative (B) Signup and view all the answers

How often should the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee meet, at minimum?

At least six times a year (D) Signup and view all the answers

Who normally acts as the secretary of the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee?

A pharmacist (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the educational purposes of the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee?

To formulate programs to enhance knowledge of drug use (C) Signup and view all the answers

Who appoints the members of the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee?

The organized medical staff (A) Signup and view all the answers

What documentation is necessary for the committee meetings?

An agenda and minutes of the previous meeting (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the responsibility of the committee secretary regarding meeting minutes?

To prepare and maintain permanent records (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which information must be included in an intravenous medication order?

The exact quantity of the drug (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the maximum quantity of nitroglycerin tablets that can be left at a patient's bedside?

10 tablets (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of automatic stop orders?

To protect against indefinite drug orders (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which item is NOT included in the list of syringes to be maintained in the Emergency Box?

1 # 30 syringe (B) Signup and view all the answers

For how long do automatic stop orders apply to controlled drugs?

24 hours (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the concentration of Epinephrine HCl included in the Emergency Box?

1:1000 (A) Signup and view all the answers

What must be done if a physician wants to change the route of administration of a medication?

A new medication order must be written (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following drugs in the Emergency Box is used primarily for its anticoagulant properties?

Heparin (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN) primarily used for?

To provide essential nutrients to patients unable to ingest food (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following medications may be left for self-administration at a patient's bedside?

Nitroglycerin (A) Signup and view all the answers

How much Mannitol Injection is specified in the Emergency Box?

25% (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is required for discharge prescriptions?

A separate prescription for each medication (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the volume of Saline for Injection to be stored in the Emergency Box?

30 ml (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following needle sizes is included in the Emergency Box?

#18 (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of using Atropine Sulfate as listed in the Emergency Box?

Emergency treatment for bradycardia (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which drug in the Emergency Box is used as a muscle relaxant?

Pentobarbital (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is a drug approved for a trial period by the FDA referred to?

Conditional, Trial Period Drug (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which category of drug requires a protocol to be submitted for hospital use?

Investigational Drug (C) Signup and view all the answers

What does the formulary system dictate regarding drug dispensing?

All drugs will be dispensed based on generic names. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following drugs is not stocked in the pharmacy?

Non-Formulary Drug (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the procedure if a drug recall notice is received?

The drug will be removed and replaced; information will be shared. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What does a physician's medication order written on a patient order form represent?

A legal prescription. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is true regarding orders written by medical students?

They require a co-signature by a member of the medical staff. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What type of drug may consist of an approved drug for a new use or new combinations of old drugs?

Investigational Drug (B) Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee (PTC)

The PTC is a communication bridge between the hospital's medical staff and pharmacy department.
Composed of doctors, pharmacists, and other healthcare professionals.
Main functions are advisory and educational.
Aims to create policies related to drug use, selection, and evaluation.
Provides education to healthcare professionals on the latest drug-related information.

PTC Organizational Structure and Operations

Minimum of 3 doctors, a pharmacist, a nurse, and an administrator are required for membership.
A physician acts as the chairperson, with a pharmacist usually serving as the secretary.
The committee meets at least 6 times a year or more often depending on the need.
The Secretary prepares meeting agendas, supplementary materials, and minutes.
Minutes of the meetings are maintained as permanent records.

Drug Classifications

Conditional, Trial Period: FDA-approved drugs that the PTC evaluates for 6-12 months before final approval.
Specialized Formulary Drug: FDA-approved drugs recommended for specific patient care needs. Prescribing is restricted to authorized personnel.
Investigational Drug: FDA-approved for specific research use by the principal investigator and designated associates.
Non-Formulary Drugs: Drugs not included in the four categories and will not be stocked. Prescriptions require the pharmacy to obtain a limited quantity from external sources.
Generic Names: The Formulary system uses generic drug names for dispensing.

Drug Recall

Recalls are initiated by manufacturers, regulatory agencies, or the Pharmacy Department.
Recalls might be general or specific to certain lot numbers.
Recalled drugs are removed and replaced.
Information is shared with staff and relevant departments.

Inpatient Prescribing

Routine Drug Orders: Written by physicians on patient order forms, and a copy is sent to the pharmacy.
Intravenous (IV) Orders: Include details of drug quantity, infusate solution, administration method (IV drip, IV bolus, etc.), infusion time, drip rate, and continuation/discontinuation instructions.
Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN): Nutritional infusions prepared extemporaneously by the pharmacy department.
Self-Medication: Only Nitroglycerin and Antacids are allowed for patient self-administration as directed by a physician.
Automatic Stop Orders: Designed to prevent indefinite open-ended drug orders.
- Controlled drugs: 24-hour automatic stop
- Other drugs: 7-day automatic stop
New Medication Orders: Required for dosage or administration route changes.
Discharge Prescription: Separate prescriptions are needed for each medication the patient will take home. Prescriptions must be processed by the pharmacy before patient discharge.
Emergency (STAT) Orders: Used sparingly; medications are usually obtained from the nursing station's emergency drug supplies.

Investigational Drug Use

Maintaining uninterrupted dosage schedules is essential during nights, weekends, and when the principal investigator is absent.
Written patient consent is typically obtained by physicians before the use of investigational drugs.
The hospital pharmacist keeps dispensing records for investigational drugs.

Drug Defect Reporting

Includes issues like faulty packaging, confusing labels, deteriorated drug forms, incorrect drug quantities, and faulty drug delivery devices.

Emergency Drug Listing

The PTC creates a list of emergency drugs and supplies for emergency boxes.
Boxes are maintained in various locations like pavilions, clinics, emergency wards, and special procedures rooms.
The emergency drug supplies include syringes, needles, airways, tourniquets, and a range of medications.
Medications in emergency boxes are for immediate interventions in critical situations.

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Description

Explore the roles, structure, and operations of the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee (PTC). This quiz covers the committee's purpose in bridging communication between medical staff and pharmacy departments, its organizational structure, and its drug classification responsibilities. Test your knowledge about the PTC's functions and importance in healthcare.