Pharmacies delayed filling of prescriptions until the patient arrived to obtain additional necessary information causing the patients to be delayed. Patients were not being released from the Day Surgery area as timely due to family members leaving to have prescriptions filled. Patients became frustrated and some patients failed to obtain their medications. The Discharge Prescription Program was established in late February 1998. Physician writes prescription.
Patient completes information section and gives to nurse along with prescriptions.
Nurse or unit clerk faxes prescriptions and information to the Outpatient Pharmacy. Outpatient Pharmacy delivers prescriptions to the O.R. Pharmacy. The O.R. Pharmacist delivers prescriptions to patient and counsels patient. A survey has been conducted on patients and nursing staff using this service that shows a high level of satisfaction. This program has been very effective in allowing Day Surgery patients to make a smoother transition to their home without having to make an additional stop at a pharmacy to have their prescriptions filled.