Case Analysis of Gifford Hospital Pharmacy case study

1. Identify problematic issue

2. SWOT analysis

3. Alternative courses of action

4. Conclusion and recommendation

Gifford Hospital Pharmacy Case Study

Gifford Hospital is trying to reduce costs yet improve patient and medical services. A hospital pharmacy uses two types of medications- fluids such as intravenous liquids and pharmaceuticals such as pills. The pharmacy buys drugs in bulk and containers and bottles and dispenses them in smaller unit-dose amounts based on doctors order. The objective of the pharmacy is to get the right drug in the right amount to the right patient at the right time. The consequences of errors in this process ranged from no visible effects on patient health to allergic reactions, or in the extreme case, to death of the patient. National studies on hospital pharmacies found error rates ranging from .01 percent (0.0001) to 15 percent (0.15). The hospital pharmacy process at Gifford Hospital includes seven major steps: Step 1- Receive the doctors Patient medication order via a written prescription, over the telephone, or through the hospital Internet system. This step averages 0.2 minutes per prescription and could be done by the medical technician or legally registered pharmacists. Step 2- Verify and validate the order through whatever means necessary. For example, if the handwriting was not legible, the doctor must be contacted to verify the medical prescription. Only a registered pharmacist can do this step, which takes from 1 to 10 minutes depending on the nature of the prescription and checking out potential problems. Since only 10 percent of prescriptions require extensive verification, the weighted average time for this step is 1.9 minutes [.9x (1 minute) + .1 x (10 minutes)]. Step 3- Determine if duplicate prescriptions exist and check the patients allergic reactions history and current medications. This work activity averages 1.4 minutes using the hospital pharmacys computer system. Only a registered pharmacist can perform this step. Step 4- Establish that the drug(s) are in stock, have not expired, and are available in the requested form and quantity. Only a registered pharmacist can perform this step and it takes 1 minute. Step 5- Prepare the prescription, including the label, and attach the proper labels to the proper bottles. Only a registered pharmacist can do this work activity and it averages 4.5 minutes. Step 6- Store the prescription in the proper place for pick-up and delivery to the patient. Only a registered pharmacist can do this step and it takes 1 minute. Step 7- Prepare all charges, write notes or comments if needed, and close the patients pharmacy record in the pharmacy computer system. This step takes 2 minutes and may be done by a registered pharmacist, but the law does not require it. Currently, the pharmacist performs steps 2 to 7 for each patients prescription. Two medical technicians are on duty at all times to receive the prescriptions, answer the telephone, receive supplies and stock shelves, deliver prescriptions through the services window, and interact with nurses and doctors as they visit the pharmacy service window. You have been called in as a consultant to improve the process and begin by considering the major steps of the hospital pharmacy in producing service.