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Asuntos regulatorios farmacéuticos: acceso abierto

Volumen 1, Asunto 1 (2012)

Comunicación rápida

Outpatient pharmacy: an innovation in the dispensing system to optimize performance and meet standards

Emad I. Hammouda and Sarah E. Hammouda

The dynamic services and activities of hospital pharmacy affect public health and well-being. Outpatient pharmacy is a section of the hospital pharmacy department that must provide the following scope of services and activities to hospital clients:

1. Provision of drug-related services to outpatients and healthcare providers working in hospital facilities.

2. Dispensing medicines for home care

3. Generation of invoices for payment according to agreed payment systems

4. Medication reconciliation

5. Patient and family education

6. Advising patients on related medication regimens

7. Offer retail sale of health-related materials.

8. Handling and management of surplus or old medications of patients

9. Home medication review

10. Documentation of daily pharmacy practice

The quality of pharmacy services is undoubtedly influenced by organizational priorities, goals, and leadership commitments [ 1 ]. Over the past decades, tireless efforts have been made to achieve patient and healthcare organization satisfaction in regards to waiting time, effective counseling, and reduction of medication errors without notable success. A revolutionary innovation in the dispensing system is needed to overcome this persistent problem in a reliable and comprehensive manner. The above-mentioned services are considered a prerequisite for improving quality, workflow, and promoting customer satisfaction and this can be achieved through three basic elements, including:

1. Adaptive design

2. Qualified and well-trained staff

3. An effective process

The mission is to provide a pharmacy service capable of achieving “better health and well-being, the highest quality of care and value for all stakeholders.” Innovation in the dispensing system is optimistically oriented to achieve this mission and keeps the doors open to improve pharmacy performance.

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