Driving Standardized Pharmacy Practice through Central Training

• Published in: Hospital pharmacy (Philadelphia) 2008-09, Vol.43 (9), p.718-722
• Main Authors: Madsen, Janet Jean, Phelps, Pamela, Beacher, Robert, Stevens, Vicki L.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0018-5787; 1945-1253
• DOI: 10.1310/hpj4309-718

Purpose Fairview Pharmacy Services needed to “systemize” clinical service provision, drug policy, and drug use in its hospitals. Lack of standardized and quality training contributed to dissatisfaction and disengagement early in the employee experience. A shortage in available pharmacists necessitated attracting and retaining new staff. A standardized training system also promised financial and safety incentives. Because financial improvement, medication safety, and employee engagement were all strategic initiatives within the health system, an innovative, uniform training process that would address deficiencies in technology and clinical training was made a key part of the tactical plan to gain and retain new staff. Summary The central pharmacist training program includes introduction to computer resources, the e-mail system, the intranet, system-wide policies and procedures, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), and medication safety. Order entry is a primary focus of training because the hospitals share a common pharmacy computer system. Creating consistent training without consistent practice was an initial obstacle, and the program continues to undergo enhancement, which includes more systemization of policy and practice. Trainers involved in the program see opportunities for systemizing that individuals dealing with only their hospitals may overlook. Verbal and written survey feedback regarding the program has been positive; and financial benefit, improved training, enhanced employee engagement, and improved patient safety have resulted. Conclusion Taking the pharmacists away from their work locations for initial training has been beneficial. Without the day-to-day interruptions that are typical in a pharmacy, the trainees are able to engage in a more intensive training experience. Patient cases used in order entry have been developed to ensure maximum exposure of the trainees to problems and situations that employ the guidelines and policies they are learning. The implementation of a central hospital pharmacist training program has lowered overall costs of training, enhanced employee satisfaction, and served as a catapult to standardization of policies and practice.