ASHP guidelines on perioperative pharmacy services.

Abstract

Historically, pharmacy involvement in perioperative areas primarily consisted of providing medication stock for access by operating room (OR) staff, confirming appropriate storage conditions, checking expiration dates, submitting billing, and maintaining controlled substance accountability. In the early 1980s, pharmacists recognized the need for increased involvement and OR satellite pharmacies began to appear, particularly in academic institutions.1 Even so, the focus remained primarily on medication distribution and regulatory compliance. Evolving standards from regulatory and accrediting agencies as well as the need for improved charge capture and greater controlled substance accountability over the last decade drove increased pharmacy involvement in the perioperative medication-use process. Ongoing rapid changes in healthcare now demand that our attention be turned toward incorporating additional activities, such as supporting institutional quality and safety goals, developing perioperative treatment algorithms and order sets, and collaborating with the perioperative team to provide patient-centered, medication-related care in inpatient and outpatient settings. Finally, the challenge of cost-effective perioperative medication use has never been greater, with the movement from fee-for-service payment to value-based payment systems.