The Challenge To optimize the use of medications and manpower in the pharmacy department. Pharmacy mangement felt these were key strategies to reduce departmental costs and to contribute to an enhanced competitive standing for the institution as a whole. To realize their goals, pharmacy management needed to identify opportunities for operational improvement and develop ways to enhance process efficiency and staff deployment. Their methodical approach included data collection and analysis, departmental and non-departmental interviews, and benchmark comparisons with other, similar hospitals.
Turnaround time needs to be improved.
Capture and analysis of monthly drug cost and usage data generally inadequate. The Results Identified baseline clinical functions for all pharmacists as well as a staff development program. Established Clinical Pharmacy Coordinator position. Adapted Drug Use Management strategies to improve turnaround time. Created monthly pharmaceutical benchmarking and reporting system that enables correlation of trends in patient activity with drug costs.