As it turns out, we often can recommend something as simple as a bladder control program to manage the resident's situation without requiring the catheterization. Concerns for Pharmacy Practice Losben has developed strong beliefs about the profession of consultant pharmacy, particularly as it relates to the computerization of pharmacy data and the place the consultant pharmacist has as an integral member of a nursing facility's health care team. We must continue as a group to offer new services as clinical and cost-containment resources. Outstanding new opportunities await us in the computerization of nursing facilities and as active participants on the interdisciplinary care plan teams in the facilities we serve. However, we must be paid for our value to this process.
Pharmacists are notorious for giving services away just to keep a contract.
In the managed care environment, giving away essential consultant pharmacy services is a sure-fire way to devalue ourselves and our profession and to keep ourselves off of the interdisciplinary health care team. Losben points out that as nursing facilities strive for a good, solid, individualized care plan for each facility resident, the consultant pharmacist is in an excellent position to help achieve that goal. Get some insight into the facility's concerns, understand the regulations they are struggling to comply with, and figure out how you can contribute to solving their problems. A Natural Communicator Losben serves as an affiliate faculty member at Temple University School of Pharmacy, her alma mater. She believes teaching is second nature to most pharmacists.