Inpatient Services
UMass Memorial Medical
Center Inpatient Pharmacy Operations is responsible for dispensing medications
daily to an average inpatient population of 740 patients. Pharmacists review
physicians' drug orders for patients prior to administration. Advanced
technology is utilized to achieve a high level of service. Inpatient drug
distribution is primarily accomplished through automated dispensing machines on
each nursing unit that is interfaced with the pharmacy computer system.
The inpatient pharmacy department provides a 24-hour sterile preparation
service. The service offers total parenteral nutrition solutions, antimicrobial
and large volume extemporaneous compounding. All pharmacists and technicians are
credentialed in aseptic technique and safe handling of intravenous
medications.
Outpatient
Services
Hematology/Oncology: The hematology/oncology
pharmacy is responsible for the management of all chemotherapeutic medications
on both the Memorial and University Campuses. A pharmacist trained in oncology
reviews all orders for appropriateness and prepares all intravenous medications
utilizing aseptic techniques.
Investigational Drug Service (IDS): The Investigational Drug
Service works in conjunction with physicians and researchers on investigational
new drug trials in conformance with regulatory and accreditation requirements.
IDS coordinates the dispensing, inventory management, IRB review, randomization
and blinding of investigational drugs.
Additional
Services
Medication Safety and Quality: The
Department of Pharmacy is committed to providing a service that is both
effective and safe. A clinical pharmacist reviews all reported adverse drug
reactions and adverse events. Current medication safety initiatives include:
Drug Safety Committee, ADR reporting and monitoring, medication error reporting
and monitoring, Joint Commission National Patient Safety Goals, medication
reconciliation, ISMP Medication Safety Alert Bulletins and advanced technology.
Clinical Support: Clinical pharmacists are responsible
for reviewing patient medication regimens and collaboratively monitoring
patients' responses to their medications. They screen for potential problems
with medications such as dosing, drug allergies, drug interactions, IV
compatibilities, and food-drug interactions. Physicians are informed of
potential problems to avoid potential problem orders.
Intensive
Care Unit: Clinical pharmacists cover all intensive care units on both
the Memorial and University Campus. Areas covered include Surgical ICU, Medical
ICU, Newborn ICU, Pediatric ICU, Critical Care Unit and Emergency Department.
Clinical pharmacists make rounds with each patient care team and provide expert
review and analysis of therapeutic treatment plans. Clinical pharmacists and
residents are available 24-hours a day via pager.
Anticoagulation Service: The Anticoagulation Service
offers a comprehensive range of patient-focused pharmacy services. The goal of
the service is to optimize safe anticoagulation therapy. Patients are carefully
monitored and followed using established nationally recognized anticoagulation
protocols. The clinical pharmacist/fellow/resident is available 24 hours a day
via pager for emergency situations regarding the patient's anticoagulation
therapy.
Drug Information Service: The Drug Information
Service is responsible for answering drug-related inquiries, conducting drug
utilization reviews, creating and maintaining protocols and guidelines and
conducting original research. Drug information questions are researched by
clinical pharmacists trained and in computerized literature retrieval and the
evaluation of medical and scientific literature. In addition, the Drug
Information Service publishes the Theragram newsletter and prepares drug reviews
for the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee.