Pharmacy Automation and Responsibility

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What is the primary responsibility of the pharmacist in charge regarding the purchase of medications?

To ensure the mechanical or electronic drug storage and dispensing devices are functioning properly

To specify the quality and source of medications, chemicals, and pharmaceutical preparations (correct)

To repackaged drug dosage forms from the manufacturer's original container

To compound and dispense medications to patients

In the event of failure of automated devices, what provision must be made?

To train pharmacy staff on manual dispensing

To shut down the pharmacy until the device is repaired

To purchase new devices

To provide alternative pharmaceutical services (correct)

What is the primary advantage of the individual prescription order system?

Reduced cost to the patient

Faster delivery of medications to patients

Increased efficiency in dispensing medications

Reduced manpower requirement (correct)

What is a potential drawback of the individual prescription order system?

Delays in obtaining required medications Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of mechanical or electronic drug storage and dispensing devices?

To ensure the stability of each drug and meet USP standards Signup and view all the answers

How many systems of dispensing are generally classified?

Four Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary benefit of the unit dose system?

Not mentioned in the content Signup and view all the answers

Who is responsible for the compounding, dispensing, and manufacture of drugs used in the hospital?

The pharmacist in charge Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between a post-administration charged system and a prefilled envelope system?

The location where medication is charged Signup and view all the answers

What is the main characteristic of the drug basket method?

Uses a basket with medicine containers that are replenished on a timely basis Signup and view all the answers

What is the main advantage of a combination of individual prescription order and complete floor stock systems?

It allows for more flexibility in medication dispensing Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary criterion for determining which medications are included in a limited floor stock?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of a unit dose system of medication distribution?

A system that distributes medications in multiples of single dose units Signup and view all the answers

What is the main characteristic of centralized unit-dose dispensing (CUDD)?

It is a pharmacy-coordinated method Signup and view all the answers

What is the main advantage of using a mobile dispensing unit?

It is always under the supervision of professional personnel Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between a complete floor stock system and a combination of individual prescription order and complete floor stock systems?

The use of a limited floor stock Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of a Unit Dose Dispensing System?

To improve pharmaceutical services and reduce medication errors Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of unit dose medications in the Unit Dose Dispensing System?

They are dispensed in a ready-to-administer form Signup and view all the answers

What is an advantage of the Unit Dose Dispensing System for pharmacists?

They are able to interpret and check a copy of the physician's original order Signup and view all the answers

What is a benefit of the Unit Dose Dispensing System for nursing staff?

They have more time for direct patient care Signup and view all the answers

What is a result of implementing a Unit Dose Dispensing System?

A reduction in the size of drug inventories in patient-care areas Signup and view all the answers

What is an advantage of the Unit Dose Dispensing System for patients?

They receive improved pharmaceutical services 24 hours a day Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of the Unit Dose Dispensing System?

It is adaptable to computerized and automated procedures Signup and view all the answers

What is a benefit of the Unit Dose Dispensing System for institutions?

It is more efficient and economical Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary benefit of pharmacists getting out of the pharmacy and onto the wards?

To perform their intended function as drug consultants Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary advantage of the Unit Dose System in terms of cost?

Decrease in the total cost of medication related activities Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary benefit of transferring intravenous preparation and drug reconstitution to the pharmacy?

Improved overall drug control and drug use monitoring Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between Centralized Unit-Dose Dispensing (CUDD) and Decentralized Unit Dose Dispensing (DUDD)?

Location of drug storage Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary advantage of Decentralized Unit Dose Dispensing (DUDD)?

Easy administration for staff Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary disadvantage of Decentralized Unit Dose Dispensing (DUDD)?

High cost Signup and view all the answers

What is the benefit of using unit doses in terms of patient billing?

More accurate patient billing Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of using unit doses in terms of drug credits?

Elimination of drug credits Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of the pharmacist in the Unit Dose Procedure?

To check medication orders for allergies, drug interactions, and laboratory test effects Signup and view all the answers

Who is responsible for filling the medication cart with the correct drugs and doses?

The pharmacy technician Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary advantage of using patient servers in inpatient dispensing?

Improved patient accessibility Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the pharmacist rechecking the medication cart upon return to the pharmacy?

To verify the medication orders Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the pharmacist in maintaining surveillance for discontinued medication orders?

To alert the nursing staff of discontinued orders Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the pill pick system in inpatient dispensing?

To retrieve medication orders quickly Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary benefit of using robotic dispensing systems in inpatient dispensing?

Increased accuracy in medication dispensing Signup and view all the answers

What is the first step in the Unit Dose Procedure?

Entering patient data into the system Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Inpatient Dispensing

Pharmaceutical services must be provided in case of automated device failure.

ASHP Guidelines

The pharmacist in charge is responsible for specifying quality and source for drug purchases.
The pharmacist has authority to specify drugs used for purchase.

Inpatient Dispensing Systems

Four systems: individual prescription order, complete floor stock, combination, and unit dose.

Individual Prescription Order System

Used by small and/or private hospitals due to reduced manpower requirements.
Delay in obtaining medication and increased cost to patients are possible drawbacks.
Prefilled envelopes with predetermined quantities are used on nursing units.

Complete Floor Stock System

Drug basket method: medicine containers are replenished regularly.
Mobile dispensing unit: a specially constructed unit with shelves, always under professional supervision.

Combination of Individual Prescription Order and Complete Floor Stock Systems

Modified use of unit dose medications.
Criteria for non-charge and charged floor stock include cost of preparation, frequency of use, quantity used, and hospital budget.

Unit Dose Dispensing System

A pharmacy-coordinated method of dispensing and controlling medications.
Defined as medications ordered, packaged, handled, administered, and charged in multiples of single dose units.
Types: centralized unit-dose dispensing (CUDD) and decentralized unit dose dispensing (DUDD) or satellite pharmacies.

Characteristics of Unit Dose Dispensing System

Medications are contained in single unit packages.
Dispensed in a ready-to-administer form.
Limited supply (not more than 24 hours) delivered to or available at patient-care areas.
Safer for patients, more efficient and economical for institutions, and more effective method of utilizing professional resources.

Advantages of Unit Dose System

Improved pharmaceutical services 24 hours a day.
Patients are charged only for administered doses.
Nurses have more time for direct patient care.
Reduced medication errors.
Eliminates excessive duplication of orders and paper work.
Reduced drug inventories in patient-care areas.
Greater adaptability to computerized and automated procedures.
Pharmacists can perform their intended function as drug consultants.
Decreased total cost of medication-related activities.
Improved overall drug control and drug use monitoring.
More accurate patient billing for drugs.
Elimination or minimization of drug credits.
Greater control by the pharmacist over pharmacy workload patterns and staff scheduling.

Centralized Unit-Dose Dispensing (CUDD)

All in-patient drugs are dispensed in unit doses from a central pharmacy area.
Medications are stored in a central area and dispensed at the time the dose is due to be given.
Drugs are transferred from the pharmacy to the patient using medication cards.

Decentralized Unit Dose Dispensing (DUDD) - Satellite Pharmacies

Small satellite pharmacies located on each floor of the hospital.
Advantages: easier administration, better stability of products, and easier accounting.
Disadvantages: high cost, time-consuming, and occupies more space for storing.

Step-by-Step Outline of Unit Dose Procedure

Patient admission: entering patient data into the system.
Direct copies of medication orders are sent to the pharmacist.
Medication orders are entered into the patient profile card.
Pharmacist checks medication orders for allergies, drug interactions, and laboratory test effects.
Dosage schedule is coordinated with the nursing station.
Pharmacy technician picks medication orders and places drugs in bins.
Medication cart is filled and checked by the pharmacist.
Nurse administers medication and makes entries on the medication record.
Cart is rechecked upon return to pharmacy.

Other Concepts

Patient servers: drawers in hallways for each ward, providing easy access but at a high cost.
Pill pick systems: automated dispensing systems.
Robotic dispensing: automated systems for dispensing medications.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

This quiz covers the role of pharmacists in automating pharmaceutical services and their responsibility in specifying quality and source of medications. It also discusses the importance of backup plans in case of device failure.