Community pharmacist has historically been seen as a health professional that dispenses medications according to the prescription and assures that the medication is provided to the patient in an accurate manner. Even though pharmacists have been provided training in numerous areas such as patient education, preventative care, and health & wellness, they often gear their clinical knowledge as a means of mainly reviewing the prescribed drug regimen to ensure that the dosing is appropriate and the drug interactions are minimal. However since then, the pharmacists’ roles have been expanding more than ever especially with the passing of the SB 493 bill. This bill officially recognizes pharmacists as “healthcare providers” and provides them a number of opportunities such as being part of the “core of the health-care system” and being reimbursed for their services in improving the health and wellness of the patients. Therefore, community pharmacist’s main role …show more content…
There are currently millions of individuals that have at least one or multiple chronic medical conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, heart failure, etc. With these chronic illnesses, patients have a higher chance of facing medical complications, spending a higher amount of money in overall treatment, and having lower rates of medication compliance. When pharmacists no longer have to dispense medications as their primary function, they will be able dedicate their time in reviewing the patient’s medical and drug histories. They will evaluate this information and determine whether the therapies are appropriate. If there are any regimens that are not deemed appropriate, then recommendations for adjustments are relay to the physician and other healthcare providers. This service performed by pharmacist has been shown to increase medication compliance and outcomes for
T-Writer, EW, met with client SM to work on his recovery goal of medication management.
Pharmacy Technicians Despite popular belief, pharmacy technicians are more than laborers; they are special. trained individuals to be successful. Imagine a family member is admitted to the University of South Alabama Hospital with an acute case of pneumonia, which will require oral and intravenous medications. These medications must be precisely prepared and properly delivered. The common perception is that pharmacists prepare medications and technicians simply deliver them.
This service is experienced, documented, evaluated and paid for as Pharmaceutical Care. Pharmaceutical Care consists of a philosophy of practice, patient care process as well as a patient management system. Pharmaceutical Care has common integrated vocabulary consistent with other patient care practices such as medicine, dentistry and nursing. Philosophy of pharmaceutical care consists of a description of the social need for the practice, a concise and clear statement of individual practitioner responsibilities to meet this social need, the expectation to be patient-centered and the requirement to function within the caring paradigm. This philosophy of practice is expected and practiced by all health care professionals. The patient care processes must be consistent with the patient care processes of all other health care providers. These processes include the assessment of the client’s pharmaceutical needs, a health care plan that is constructed to meet the specific needs of the client and a process in which evaluates the health care plan to gauge the efficacy of decisions made and actions taken. Pharmaceutical care management system includes all resources needed to manage the client’s needs, which include the space provided, such as a clinic or hospital, an appointment system for patients, appropriate and ethical documentation, reporting of patient care, evaluation of decisions made and actions taken and payment of service
I pleased to apply to the PharmD program as the program is one area that corresponds to my career dreams. Being part of this program gives one the opportunity to gain an excellent experience in working and collaborating with various health care providers in the ward. But more importantly, it facilitates a practical environment in dealing more closely with patients. Hence, it helps to provide the ultimate health care services to patients. Also, it permits me to carry on gaining different knowledge, skills, and values in addition to those I have already developed during my undergraduate studies. My interest in being a clinical pharmacist was first aroused during my SPEP rotation in the hospital setting where I was really impressed with the role of clinical pharmacists who provide a consistent process of patient care with healthcare teams to maintain the appropriateness, effectiveness and safety of the medication use. Unlike a pharmacist, a clinical pharmacist has a more diversified responsibilities and closeness to direct patient care. Moreover, provides
When doctors prescribe medication for their patients, a local retail pharmacy is most likely to be utilized to fill the order. However, there is a growing population of older Americans that are no longer able to live independently and must reside in nursing homes or assisted living facilities. In order for this vulnerable population to receive their medications, a different kind of pharmacy is needed, these are known as LTC, long term care pharmacies. Within these specialized pharmacies there are highly trained employees called CPhTs, certified pharmacy technicians who are overseen by state licensed RPHs, otherwise known as pharmacists.
As the gap between reaching optimal medication therapy for diabetes management grows, so does the need for improved medical centers. But how does this happen? If pharmacists were to “utilize their clinical expertise in monitoring and managing diabetes medication plans to positively impact health outcomes and empower patients to actively manage their health,” then the number of people with diabetes could decline (Smith, 2009). Pharmacists are highly accessible medical professionals that are not used to their full potential (Smith, 2009). They are an essential component of the American health system that could easily educate patients struggling with diabetes (Shane-McWhorter, 2005). The implementation of pharmacist-managed diabetes clinics have been proven to lower the blood glucose levels of patients, cost of medication, and mortality rate of its’ patients.
Due to the risk to for noncompliance from multiple medications, uncontrolled chronic health conditions and impaired vision of the patient, the family’s reasons for referral to a home health care coincided with the physician’s as well. Three major safety concerns validated this decision: several medications throughout the day, multiple co-morbidities, and advance age. Her ability to properly manage her medications was questioned when the healthcare team suspected she was uncompliant with her Carvedilol prescription, which consequently resulted in a hypertensive crisis. The progression of her chronic conditions, especially her kidney failure and recurrent dialysis treatment, affects her quality of life and increases her risk for complications.
Compliance with therapies recommended by a physician is a primary element towards a successful treatment. Failure to adhere can lead to serious complications which not only affects the patient but also the physician and most importantly the health care system. Even though compliance and adherence are relatively similar, there is an extensive difference between one from the other. According to World Health Organization (2003), adherence signifies “the extent to which a person's behaviour - taking medication, following a diet, and/or executing lifestyle changes, corresponds with agreed recommendations from a health care provider.” On the other hand, compliance is the amplitude to which a patient lacks any means of communication with a health care provider regarding the prescribed medication. Unlike compliance, adherence requires physician-patient collaboration and patient’s consent to prescribed medications written by a health care provider. Inevitably, both compliance and adherence are very alike and are required for a successful treatment of chronic illness or disease.
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines adherence as “the extent to which a person’s behaviour – taking medication, following a diet, and/or executing lifestyle changes, corresponds with agreed recommendations from a health care provider. 1” Improving a patient’s medical adherence requires effort from healthcare staff from multi-disciplinary. This report will focus on improving medication adherence in a pharmacy setting.
Proper medication management among older adults can be challenging. Older persons may not fully understand the purpose of the medication and the importance of following the prescription as directed. Over the counter medication, herbs and supplements may not be considered medication; therefore, they do not inform their health care provider that they are taking them. Multiple health care providers can result in duplication of orders or adverse drug reactions. Improper management of medication may lead to adverse drug events ultimately extending a hospitalization or decreasing an older adult’s ability to function safely. Obtaining an accurate record of medications at all points of care promotes safer medication administration and prevents adverse events.
First, here is some important background information about Pharmacists. A Pharmacist is someone who is trained and licensed to distribute medicinal drugs and to advise on their use. According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook Pharmacists do all of the following: "Fill prescriptions, verify proper amounts of medication to give to patients, check whether the prescription will interact negatively with other drugs that a patient is taking or conditions the patient has, instruct patients on how to and when to take a prescribed medicine, Advise patients on potential side effects they may experience from taking the medicine, Advise patients about general health topics, such as diet, exercise, managing stress, and on other issues, such as what equipment or supplies would be best for a health problem, Keep records and do other administrative tasks, Complete insurance forms and work with insurance companies to be sure that patients get the medicine they need, Teach other healthcare practitioners about proper medication therapies for patients, and lastly oversee the work of pharmacy technicians and pharmacists training."() Some pharmacists participate in compounding, where they create medications by mixing ingredients themselves. Pharmacists tha...
1. What is the difference between a. and a. What is medication compliance? Medications are an important part of a patient’s life, in that without compliance or adherence to once prescribed medication, the patient’s disease will linger on and cause more complications in their body. Medication compliance is one of the most important topics discussed with the patients. Medication compliance is defined as the ability of the patient to follow correctly prescribed medication.
I was also responsible for monitoring medication orders and reviewing patient profiles to ensure that the proper drugs and dosages were prescribed and that the pharmacy technician had prepared them properly. In many instances there were mistakes made in the preparation phase and sometimes even before, with incorrect dosages or drugs being prescribed and prepared, which could result in serious adverse effects for the patient. A clinical pharmacist’s role, however, is to make sure that these mistakes never reach the
Pharmacists often work together in a team with other healthcare professional like physicians and nurses. In the process, pharmacists will give advice to them on the selection of medication, by providing the evidences based on the dosage form, the side effects and possible interaction with food of the medication. On the other hand, pharmacists also take part in research and clinical studies. Recently, pharmacists are recruited to conduct pharmacy-based research in pharmacies. (Swanson, 2005)
They can also give advice on how to lead a healthy lifestyle, conduct health and wellness screenings, provide immunizations, and oversee the medications given to their patients. Furthermore, a pharmacist must pay close attention to the prescription they fill and give to their patients. They should be sure the prescription won’t interact negatively with other drugs a patient is taking, or any past or previous medical conditions the patient has. Next, they will instruct the patient on how and when to take the prescribed medicine, any potential side effects, and answer any additional question the patient may have. Other than dealing with prescriptions, pharmacists will complete insurance forms and communicate with insurance companies to ensure patients obtain the medicines they need. Lastly, pharmacists will oversee the work of their pharmacy technicians and any interns they may have. A prescription may be filled by a pharmacy technician, but must be checked by the pharmacist before being given to a patient. Pharmacists’ tasks may also vary depending on where they work. For example, clinical pharmacists working is hospitals or clinical setting will sped less time dispensing prescriptions, and more time going on rotations, overseeing the dosage and timing of medications to patients, and conducting medical tests. On the other hand,