Identification and Evaluation of Pharmacists Commonly Used Drug Information Sources

Objective

To examine where practicing pharmacists in Singapore usually obtain Drug Information and how useful and satisfactory the source is to pharmacists and to determine the kind of drug related questions pharmacists usually receive.

Results

The majority of the respondents chose reference texts as their most commonly used Drug Information source. Of these 38% used Drug Information Handbook. Reference texts were mostly rated very comprehensive, whereas Web sites were mostly rated somewhat comprehensive.

Explanation

Most pharmacist in Singapore use reference texts when searching for general Drug Information, it's really nice to see that they find this texts more comprehensive and trustworthy than other available sources. The different Drug Information sources, such as journals, conferences, and other reference books are a really good source of Information. They are more accurate than other information you can see in the different websites.

ASHP Statement on the Pharmacist's Role in Informatics

Purpose
To reaffirm the responsibilities of the pharmacists and the pharmacy informacists in medical informatics.

Explanation

The pharmacists have the unique knowledge, expertise, and responsibility to assume a significant role in medical informatics. They must use their knowledge of information systems and the medication-use process to improve patient care by ensuring that new technologies lead to safer and more effective medication use.

Their responsibilities:

Participation. They must support the medication use process for safer and effective medication. They must learn how to collaborate with the different health professionals to develop a good relationship with them in terms of health medication related problems, for different strategies and so on. 

Leadership. They need to take a leadership role in medical informatics at all levels of health care to ensure that health information technology supports safe medication use. They should also attain their key leadership roles within the health care technology industry.

Education. Pharmacy informaticists should develop different medication-related data and information. They are the one responsible for educating pharmacy staff and the institutions leadership about their roles, particularly using information technology.

Research.  They are responsible for performing researchers involving the different issues of medical information. It includes the study of standards, usability, and value involving the economic, safety, and quality of health information technology. 

ASHP Guidelines on Remote Medication Order Processing

Purpose

To describe the policies and procedures that must be in place to safely employ remote medication order processing (RMOP).

Explanation 

In this journal it only shows the two role of health professionals, the remote pharmacists and the client site pharmacists. It is important for them to have a good communication to give the right medication to the patient. Each of them has an important role, the remote pharmacists which is the one processing the medication order from the remote site and the client site pharmacist which dispense and give care to the client or patient. One of their roles is to review of the patients profile, its diagnosis, medication history, allergies prior to drug effects and many more. They are also the one who should clarify of medication orders to avoid errors.

ASHP Journal Reports

ASHP Guidelines on Pharmacy Planning for Implementation of Computerized Provider-Order-Entry Systems in Hospitals and Health Systems

Purpose

To provide  guidance to pharmacists in hospitals and health systems on planning for, implementing, and enhancing safe computerized provider-order-entry (CPOE) systems.

Review 

In the report the electronic health record  was said an estimated number of deaths due to medical errors. Since the CPOE's goal is to lessen the errors occurring they take a central role in the redesign of the health care system to improve quality, increase efficiency, and reduce errors. They has a potential to affect the ordering of all medications, laboratory tests, medical imaging, nursing orders and more. They integrated with with a pharmacy information system and the electronic medication administration record can nearly eliminate transaction errors.

The CPOE implementation starts with a well-organized plan, they include different health professionals that can help them achieve their goal and to improve more of their missions. The involvement of pharmacists in the development and implementation of CPOE is essential for several reasons, they have the benefit of years of experience with electronic order systems.

Explanation

In this Journal it shows a important role of pharmacists related to informatics. They are the one who utilized their technique knowledge and skills as part of the interdisciplinary CPOE planning and implementation team. I can see that their participation is really important in defining the vision, goals and objective of the CPOEsystem. This only shows that their are lot of things that a pharmacists can be, and can do. They are one of the most trusted health professional.