National Survey Of Pharmacy Practice Research Articles

ASHP National Survey of Pharmacy Practice in Hospital Settings: Operations and Technology - 2023.

Results of the 2023 ASHP National Survey of Pharmacy Practice in Hospital Settings are presented. Pharmacy directors at 1,497 general and children's medical-surgical hospitals in the United States were surveyed using a mixed-mode method of contact by email and mail. Survey completion was online using Qualtrics. IQVIA supplied data on hospital characteristics; the survey sample was drawn from IQVIA's hospital database. The response rate was 21.6%. Inpatient pharmacists independently prescribe medications in 26.7% of hospitals. Advanced analytics are used in 5.7% of hospitals. Basic analytics are used in 87.3% of hospitals. Pharmacists work in ambulatory or primary care clinics in 54.2% of hospitals operating outpatient clinics. Most hospitals (86.1%) use automated dispensing cabinets as the primary method of maintenance dose distribution. Machine-readable coding is used in 73.6% of hospitals to verify doses during dispensing in the pharmacy. Autoverification functionality in the electronic health record system is used in 73.4% of hospitals. Most hospitals report some integration of pharmacy services to optimize patient care transitions (60.0%), while 24.9% report no integration. Traditional technician activities still predominate, but more advanced roles are emerging. Technologies to assist sterile product preparation are used in 62.8% of hospitals. Drug distribution continues to trend toward decentralized models with medications available closer to patients. Technologies are enabling this transition to occur without a significant negative impact on patient safety. The pharmacy workforce is stable, and more advanced responsibilities are being assigned to pharmacy technicians, enabling pharmacists to increase their clinical role.

ASHP National Survey of Pharmacy Practice in Hospital Settings: Workforce - 2022.

Results of the 2022 ASHP National Survey of Pharmacy Practice in Hospital Settings are presented. Pharmacy directors at 1,498 general and children's medical/surgical hospitals in the United States were surveyed using a mixed-mode method of contact by email and mail. Survey completion was online. IQVIA supplied data on hospital characteristics; the survey sample was drawn from IQVIA's hospital database. The response rate was 23.7%. Inpatient pharmacists independently prescribe in 27.1% of hospitals. Advanced analytics are used in 8.7% of hospitals. Pharmacists work in ambulatory or primary care clinics in 51.6% of hospitals operating outpatient clinics. Some level of pharmacy service integration is reported in 53.6% of hospitals. More advanced pharmacy technician roles are emerging. For health systems offering hospital at home services, 65.9% of pharmacy departments are involved. Shortages of pharmacists and technicians were reported but are more acute for pharmacy technicians. Aspects of burnout are being measured in 34.0% of hospitals, and 83.7% are attempting to prevent and mitigate burnout. The average number of full-time equivalents per 100 occupied beds is 16.9 for pharmacists and 16.1 for pharmacy technicians. Health-system pharmacies are experiencing workforce shortages; however, these shortages have had limited impact on budgeted positions. Workforce challenges are influencing the work of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. Adoption of practice advancement initiatives has continued the positive trend from past years despite workforce issues.

ASHP National Survey of Pharmacy Practice in Hospital Settings: Clinical services and workforce-2021.

Results of the 2021 ASHP National Survey of Pharmacy Practice in Hospital Settings are presented. Pharmacy directors at 1,498 general and children's medical/surgical hospitals in the United States were surveyed using a mixed-mode method of contact by email and mail. Survey completion was online. IQVIA supplied data on hospital characteristics; the survey sample was drawn from IQVIA's hospital database. The response rate was 21.9%. Pharmacists are routinely assigned to a majority of patients at least 8 hours per day, 5 days per week in 70.4% of hospitals. This is an increase from 60.8% in 2018 and has steadily increased over the past decade. Pharmacists independently prescribe medications pursuant to a diagnosis in 30.9% of hospitals, an increase from 21.1% in 2020. Pharmacists have prescribing authority in 67% of health-system ambulatory clinics and can recommend or schedule pharmacogenomics testing for drug and dosage selection in 11.4% of hospitals, an increase from 5.4% in 2019. Pharmacists are using electronic methods in 82.5% of hospitals to collect information for monitoring medication therapy. Shortages of entry-level pharmacy technicians are acute, with 73.4% of survey respondents reporting a shortage. Technician shortages have affected pharmacy operations and have prompted new recruitment and retention strategies. Despite workforce challenges, clinical pharmacy services continue to expand to cover increasing numbers of patients with medication management services in both the inpatient and outpatient settings. The use of data analytics and pharmacy technicians has contributed to this evolution. Addressing the workforce challenges will be critical to sustain this progress.

Health-system specialty pharmacy impact on oral chemotherapy outcomes.

240 Background: Oral chemotherapy usage has grown significantly over the years as it provides a more convenient and less invasive administrative option for patients.In 2019, 89% of large hospitals owned and operated their own Health System Specialty Pharmacies (HSSP)1.Pharmacist-led medication therapy management services are crucial to provide patient education, monitoring of medication adherence and adverse effect management. With the current vertical integration of health plans and pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) increasing their dominance over specialty dispensing channels, HSSP are often excluded from specialty networks. The objective of this study is to compare outcomes of oncology patients filling their oral chemotherapy at Cedars Sinai Medical Center (CSMC) Specialty Pharmacy versus those who are filling their medications at outside specialty pharmacies (OSP). Methods: Electronic health records were used to conduct a retrospective chart review of patients started on oral chemotherapy at CSMC between January 2019 to January 2021. Primary endpoints included time to treatment (TTT) and proportion of days covered (PDC). Secondary endpoints included drug-related problems (DRPs) and treatment-related ED visits and hospitalizations. DRPs were categorized by severity and type of intervention. Results: There were 100 patients included in the study: CSMC group (n = 50) and OSP group (n = 50). Patients in the CMSC group had significantly shorter TTT compared to OSP group (4 days vs. 9.5 days, respectively [P < 0.0026]), as well as a higher PDC (99.5% vs 91%, respectively [P < 0.0005]). Pharmacists identified and resolved 31 DRPs in CSMC arm with 19 DRPs categorized as serious and 1 DRP categorized as life-threatening. For the OSP group, 23 preventable DRPs were identified with 12 DRPs categorized as serious and 1 DRP categorized as life-threatening. There were no treatment-related ED visits or hospitalizations in either group. Conclusions: Patients filling their oral chemotherapy at CSMC Specialty Pharmacy had significantly quicker TTT and higher adherence rates as measured by PDC. Numerous DRPs were identified for OSP patients; potential pharmacist-interventions could have led to optimized and safer medication therapy if filled at a HSSP. Continued research comparing treatment outcomes and interventions made between HSSP and OSP can create a strong argument for health plans and PBMs to consider inclusion of HSSPs into their specialty networks.

ASHP national survey of pharmacy practice in hospital settings: Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on pharmacy operations-2020.

Results of the 2020 ASHP national survey of pharmacy practice in hospital settings pertaining to pharmacy operational changes implemented in response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic are presented. Pharmacy directors at 1,437 general and children's medical/surgical hospitals in the United States were surveyed using a mixed-mode method of contact by email and mail. Survey completion was online. The response rate was 18.7%. Seventy-three percent of hospitals implemented changes to hospital units, including 46% that increased intensive care unit bed capacity; 94% made changes to pharmacy supply chain acquisition, changes to products, and/or increased inventory. Staffing changes were implemented by 69% of hospitals, with the most common being staffing reductions (55%) and salary reductions (16%). Medication-use changes were implemented by 86% of hospitals, with treatment guidelines for COVID-19 treatment (79%) and opening compassionate use or investigational drug studies (55%) being the most common. Changes in sterile compounding processes were implemented by 84% of hospitals. Personal protective equipment (PPE) shortages led to 71% of hospitals modifying PPE use standards in sterile compounding. Eighty-seven percent of hospitals changed operational activities, such as changing medication return practices (56%), medication reconciliation processes (46%), intravenous medication recycling (38%), and discharge counseling (37%). Hospitals experienced shortages of many medications, including albuterol inhalers (60%), sedatives and anesthetic agents (58%), neuromuscular blockers (43%), corticosteroids (34%), cardiovascular agents (24%), investigational agents (24%), and dialysis solutions (6%). The pharmacy profession responded to myriad threats to operations and patient care during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

ASHP national survey of pharmacy practice in hospital settings: Dispensing and administration-2020.

DisclaimerIn an effort to expedite the publication of articles related to the COVID-19 pandemic, AJHP is posting these manuscripts online as soon as possible after acceptance. Accepted manuscripts have been peer-reviewed and copyedited, but are posted online before technical formatting and author proofing. These manuscripts are not the final version of record and will be replaced with the final article (formatted per AJHP style and proofed by the authors) at a later time.PurposeResults of the 2020 ASHP national survey of pharmacy practice in hospital settings are presented.MethodsPharmacy directors at 1,437 general and children’s medical/surgical hospitals in the United States were surveyed using a mixed-mode method of contact by email and mail. Survey completion was online. IQVIA supplied data on hospital characteristics; the survey sample was drawn from the IMS hospital database.ResultsThe response rate was 18.7%. Almost all hospitals (92.5%) have a method for pharmacists to review medication orders on demand. Most hospitals (74.5%) use automated dispensing cabinets (ADCs) as their primary method for drug distribution. A third of hospitals use barcodes to verify doses during dispensing in the pharmacy and to verify ingredients when intravenous medications are compounded. More than 80% scan barcodes when restocking ADCs. Sterile workflow management technology is used in 21.3% of hospitals. Almost three-quarters of hospitals outsource some sterile preparations. Pharmacists can independently prescribe in 21.1% of hospitals. Pharmacist practice in ambulatory clinics in 46.2% of health systems and provide telepharmacy services in 28.4% of health systems.ConclusionPharmacists continue their responsibility in their traditional role in preparation and dispensing of medications. They have successfully employed technology to improve safety and efficiency in performance of these duties and have employed emerging technologies to improve the safety, timeliness, and efficiency of the administration of drugs to patients. As pharmacists continue to expand their role to all aspects of medication use, new opportunities highlighted in ASHP’s Practice Advancement Initiative 2030 have been identified.

ASHP national survey of pharmacy practice in hospital settings: Prescribing and transcribing-2019.

Results of the 2019 ASHP national survey of pharmacy practice in hospital settings are presented. Pharmacy directors at 4,863 general and children's medical/surgical hospitals in the United States were surveyed using a mixed-mode method of contact by email and mail. Survey completion was online, using an online survey application. IQVIA supplied data on hospital characteristics; the survey sample was drawn from the IMS Health hospital database. The response rate was 10.8%. Pharmacists are increasingly managing medication use in the areas of vancomycin therapy, antibiotic selection and dosing, and anticoagulation. Electronic health record (EHR) decision support is guiding prescribing, and nearly 50% of hospitals are customizing drug warnings. Adoption of compounding technology continues, with 43.6% of hospitals using technology in their sterile compounding processes. Nearly half of hospitals have active opioid stewardship programs, and pharmacists are leading these efforts. Specialty pharmacy operations are growing in health systems. Human resource commitments to support new services are increasing; however, vacancy rates for technicians are challenging. Staff credentialing continues to expand for pharmacist and technicians. Pharmacists continue to assume greater responsibility for writing medication orders, dosing, ordering laboratory tests, and monitoring outcomes. Health-system pharmacists are taking a leading role in addressing the opioid crisis, advancing safety in compounded sterile preparations through adoption of intravenous workflow technologies, and optimizing EHR applications to leverage clinical decision support tools to improve the safe prescribing and use of medications.

ASHP national survey of pharmacy practice in hospital settings: Workforce—2018

Results of the 2018 ASHP national survey of pharmacy practice in hospital settings pertaining to the pharmacy workforce are presented. Pharmacy directors at 4,897 general and children's medical-surgical hospitals in the United States were surveyed using a mixed-mode method of contact by mail and email. Survey completion was online. IMS Health supplied data on hospital characteristics; the survey sample was drawn from the IMS hospital database. The survey response rate was 16.6%. The results indicate that inpatient staffing has increased for both pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. More than half of the respondents reported shortages of pharmacy managers, experienced technicians, and experienced pharmacy technicians with sterile compounding experience. More than half of the respondents reported an excess of entry-level frontline pharmacists. The perceived shortage of pharmacists is in decline, while the perceived shortage of pharmacy technicians, especially those with years of experience, is increasing. Pharmacists commonly chair multidisciplinary committees within health systems, and pharmacy leaders often report directly to the chief executive officer or chief operating officer; they are often responsible for reporting quality information associated with medication use to the health system's board. The use of a pharmacist credentialing and privileging process beyond licensure has increased over the past 4 years. Attention is being devoted to stress in the work place and addressing burnout among healthcare professionals, including pharmacists. The profession is fostering a workforce that is appropriate in composition, sufficient in number, and has the competence to improve the value and safety of medication use.

ASHP national survey of pharmacy practice in hospital settings: Monitoring and patient education-2018.

The results of the 2018 ASHP national survey of pharmacy practice in hospital settings are presented. Pharmacy directors at 4,897 general and children's medical-surgical hospitals in the United States were surveyed using a mixed-mode method of contact by mail and email. Survey completion was online using Qualtrics. IMS Health supplied data on hospital characteristics; the survey sample was drawn from IMS's hospital database. The response rate was 16.6%. The percentage of hospitals that routinely have pharmacists assigned to provide drug therapy management has increased. Transitions-of-care processes have generally increased over the last 6 years. The percentage of hospitals with pharmacists in a wide variety of clinic types and clinical practice areas has increased over the last 2 years. Opioid stewardship programs are emerging in many U.S. hospitals, with pharmacists participating or taking the lead in program implementation. Outsourcing of compounded sterile product preparation is common. The proportion of hospitals not using any technology when compounding sterile preparations has declined. Pharmacy departments commonly track and monitor trends for administrative, operational, quality, and outcome metrics. Pharmacists continue to improve drug therapy monitoring for patients in U.S. hospitals. They are also responding to public health issues related to medication use. These advancements include taking an active role in opioid stewardship programs, safe compounding of sterile medications for patients, and reducing the need for hospital-based care.

ASHP national survey of pharmacy practice in hospital settings: Dispensing and administration-2017.

The results of the 2017 ASHP national survey of pharmacy practice in hospital settings are described. Pharmacy directors at 4,828 general and children's medical-surgical hospitals in the United States were surveyed using a mixed-mode method of contact by mail and e-mail. Survey completion was online, using Qualtrics (Qualtrics, Provo, UT). IMS Health supplied data on hospital characteristics; the survey sample was drawn from the IMS hospital database (IMS Health, Yardley, PA). The response rate was 14.4%. Drug distribution systems have evolved from centralized unit dose programs to decentralized programs based on the use of automated dispensing cabinets (ADCs). These systems have been made safer by the use of lidded pockets, by the use of machine-readable coding during ADC stocking, and by linking access to medications to results of pharmacist order review. Health-system pharmacists continue to improve quality practices for compounding sterile preparations, including the use of safeguards in handling hazardous drugs. While some hospitals are prepared for more stringent standards, including United States Pharmacopeia chapter 800 requirements, much still needs to be done to meet these standards. Pharmacists are taking an active role in improving the responsible use of medications through antimicrobial stewardship and controlled-substance diversion prevention programs. The quality of the pharmacy workforce continues to be improved through the increased credentialing of both pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. Health-system pharmacists continue to have a positive impact on improving healthcare through programs that improve efficiency, safety, and clinical outcomes of medication use in health systems.

National Survey of Pharmacy Practice at MOH Hospitals in Saudi Arabia 2016-2017: Preparation of Medications and Dispensing

<p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Purpose:</strong> To explore National Survey of Pharmacy Practice at MOH hospitals in Saudi Arabia 2016-2017: Preparation of medications and Dispensing. <strong>Methods:</strong> It is a 4-months cross-sectional National Survey of Pharmacy Practice at MOH hospitals in Saudi Arabia. The study consisted of two parts; the demographic information and the second part contained eighty-five questions divided into nine domains drove from American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) and Saudi Pharmaceutical Society (SPS) survey, the international standard of Joint Commission of Hospital Accreditation. An electronic questionnaire was distributed to 185 directors of pharmacies at MOH hospitals. The study discussed and analyzed National Survey of Pharmacy Practice at MOH hospitals in Saudi Arabia 2016: Preparation of medications and Dispensing. All analysis is done through survey monkey system. <strong>Results:</strong> The survey was carried out in 185 hospitals, the rate of reply was 105 (56.75%). The pharmacy services were the drug distribution unit dose 36 (34.3%), repacking operation system 15 (14.3% %), an extemporaneous preparation 22 (21 %), and Intravenous admixture 8 (7.6%) only. The drug distribution by unit dose commonly not existed at the hospital less than 100 beds size 18 (17.14). The Intravenous admixture commonly found at 200-400 beds hospitals 6 (5.7%). The hospital home infusion therapy provided from six (5.7%) hospital pharmacies only. The most outpatient prescriptions dispensed to hospital employees 69 (65.7%) hospital clinic or patients discharged or emergency room 63 (60 %), general public 58 (55.2%), and home healthcare services 31 (29.5%). The most system founded to assure the accuracy of preparations and dispensing. One pharmacist check drug order before dispensing 48 (45.7%), and two pharmacists review high-risk drugs 28 (26.7%) at all type of hospitals bed size. <strong>Conclusion:</strong> The essential elements of pharmacy, the cost, and improve outcomes associated with drug therapy care of patients as a member of the multidisciplinary care team. [5,6,7] To Provide PC; pharmacists should supply the knowledge of clinical pharmacy and best skills.[7] In Saudi Arabia, PC practice is still improving. In a study of Al-Arifi et al. showed that practice was weak at MOH hospitals. Annual survey of pharmacy services with improving drug distribution system prevent drug-related problem and improve patient care at Hospitals in Saudi Arabia.

National Survey of Pharmacy Practice at MOH Hospitals in Saudi Arabia 2016: Pharmacy Education and Training

Objective: To explore National Survey of Pharmacy Practice at MOH hospitals in Saudi Arabia 2016-2017: Pharmacy Education and Training. Methods: It is a 4-months cross-sectional National Survey of Pharmacy Practice at MOH hospitals in Saudi Arabia. The study consisted of two parts; the demographic information and the second part contained eighty-five questions divided into nine domains drove from American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) and Saudi Pharmaceutical Society (SPS) survey, the international standard of Joint Commission of Hospital Accreditation in adddition to the local standards of Saudi Center of healthcare accreditation. An electronic questionnaire distributed to the one hundred eighty-five directors of pharmacies at MOH hospitals. The study discussed and analyzed National Survey of Pharmacy Practice at MOH hospitals in Saudi Arabia: the drug monitoring and patient’s education. All analysis were done through survey monkey system. Results: The survey questionnaire was distributed to 185 hospitals, the rate of reply, was 105 (56.75%). The most hospital pharmacies required a continuing medical education (CME) 62 (59 %), and allowed paid time off for continuing education program was 45 (42.9%). The policy of CME existed in 47 (44.8%) only while not lived in 58 (55.2%) hospital pharmacies. The most affiliated training program was the pharmacy technician student training program 55 (52.4%) with a total number of candidates (258) annually, and pharmacy students training program 43 (41%) with a total number of candidates was (281) annually. A followed by the on the job training of pharmacy technician program 33 (31.4%) with the total of candidates was (206) annually. The majority of Education and Training available for pharmacy staff for pharmacy technician, pharmacists, and director of the pharmacy, while most Education and Training available delivered to Healthcare professional by pharmacy staff were nurses, general physician, and nursing supervisors. The most courses delivered to health care providers by hospital pharmacies were basic medication safety, Cardiopulmonary resuscitation drugs, and an emergency medicine. Conclusion: The hospital pharmacies had an adequate education and training services for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians while missed by Pharm D student and post-graduate residency programs. Review of strategies for pharmacy education and training is highly recommended. Key word: Pharmacy education, Training, Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia.

National Survey of Pharmacy Practice at MOH Hospitals in SAUDI Arabia 2016-2017: Pharmacy Computerized and Technology

<p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Objective:</strong> To explore National Survey of Pharmacy Practice at MOH hospitals in Saudi Arabia 2016-2017: Pharmacy Computerized and Technology. <strong>Methods:</strong> It is a 4-months cross-sectional National Survey of Pharmacy Practice at MOH hospitals in Saudi Arabia. The study consisted of two parts; the demographic information and the second part contained eighty-five questions divided into nine domains drove from American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP), Saudi Pharmaceutical Society (SPS) survey, and the international standard of Joint Commission of Hospital Accreditation. The parts were pharmacy management and resources, prescribing and medication control, preparation of medications and dispensing, Computerized and pharmacy technology, clinical pharmacy services, drug monitoring and patient&rsquo;s education, Pharmacy inventory control and stock management, Pharmacy education and training. The 5-point Likert response scale system was used with closed and ended questions. An electronic questionnaire was distributed to the one hundred eighty-five directors of pharmacies at MOH hospitals. The study discussed and analyzed National Survey of Pharmacy Practice at MOH hospitals in Saudi Arabia: Pharmacy Computerized and Technology. <strong>Results:</strong> The survey questionnaire was distributed to 185 of hospitals, the rate of reply was 105 (56.75%) hospitals. The majority of hospital pharmacies are not computerized and have no immediate plans to computerize 58 (55.2%) or Electronic Medical Record (EMR) 59 (56.2%). However, they had one or more component of the medical record (e.g., Medication administration record, CPOE, laboratory, radiology 42 (40.0%). The majority of hospital pharmacies had not Computerized Physician Order Entry (CPOE) at all, pharmacy services with average scores found 1.51 (30%) or Drug Alerting System through Computerized Physician Order Entry (CPOE) 1.35 (27%) only. Pharmacy technology in drug distribution network found in 17 (16.2%) hospitals only, and they used Automated transportation system 8 (7.6%) or centralized units dose (Cart filling machines, robotic arms) 5 (4.8%). Most of the hospital pharmacies did not have a plan for pharmacy automation or technology with average scores 1.66 (33.2%). <strong>Conclusion:</strong> Pharmacy computerization and technology seldom implemented at Ministry of Health hospitals. Targeting of strategic pharmacy informatics vision is required to prevent drug-related problems and avoid the unnecessary additional economic burden on healthcare system at Ministry of Health hospitals in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Key word:</strong> Pharmacy practice, Informatics, Automation, Technology, Ministry of health, Saudi arabia.

National Survey of Pharmacy Practice at MOH Hospitals in Saudi Arabia 2016-2017: Clinical Pharmacy Services

<p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Purpose:</strong> To explore National Survey of Pharmacy Practice at MOH hospitals in Saudi Arabia 2016-2017: Preparation of medications and Dispensing. <strong>Methods:</strong> It is a 4-months cross-sectional National Survey of Pharmacy Practice at MOH hospitals in Saudi Arabia. The study consisted of two parts; the demographic information and the second part contained eighty-five questions divided into nine domains drove from American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) and Saudi Pharmaceutical Society (SPS) survey, the international standard of Joint Commission of Hospital Accreditation. In addition to the local standards of Saudi Center of healthcare accreditation. The parts were pharmacy management and resources, prescribing and medication control, preparation of medications and dispensing, Computerized pharmacy technology, clinical pharmacy services, drug monitoring, patient&rsquo;s education, Pharmacy inventory control and stock management, Pharmacy education and training, and pharmacy total quality management and drug information services. An electronic questionnaire distributed to the 185 directors of pharmacies at MOH hospitals. The study discussed and analyzed National Survey of Pharmacy Practice at MOH hospitals in Saudi Arabia 2016: Preparation of medications and Dispensing. All analysis is done through survey monkey system. <strong>Results:</strong> The survey was carried out in 185 hospitals, the rate of reply, was 105 (56.75%). The pharmacy services were the drug distribution unit dose 36 (34.3%), repacking operation system 15 (14.3% %), an extemporaneous preparation 22 (21 %), and Intravenous admixture 8 (7.6%) only. The drug distribution by unit dose commonly not existed at the hospital less than 100 beds size 18 (17.14). The Intravenous admixture commonly found at 200-400 beds hospitals 6 (5.7%). The hospital home infusion therapy provided from six (5.7%) hospital pharmacies only. The most outpatient prescriptions dispensed to hospital employees 69 (65.7%) hospital clinic or patients discharged or emergency room 63 (60 %), public 58 (55.2%), and home healthcare services 31 (29.5%). The most system founded to assure the accuracy of preparations and dispensing. One pharmacist checks drug order before dispensing 48 (45.7%), and two pharmacists review high-risk drugs 28 (26.7%) at all type of hospitals bed size. <strong>Conclusion:</strong> The essential elements of pharmacy the costs, and improve the outcomes associated with drug therapy care of patients as a member of the multidisciplinary care team(5) (6)(7). To Provide PC; pharmacists should supply the knowledge of clinical pharmacy and best skills(7). In Saudi Arabia, PC practice is still improving. In a study of Al-Arifi et al. showed that practice was weak at MOH hospitals. Annual survey of pharmacy services with improving drug distribution system prevent drug-related problem and improve patient care at Hospitals in Saudi Arabia. <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Key words:</strong> Pharmacy Practice, Clinical Pharmacy, Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia.

National Survey of Pharmacy Practice at MOH Hospitals in Saudi Arabia 2016-2017: Prescribing and Medication Management

Objective: To explore National Survey of Pharmacy Practice at MOH hospitals in Saudi Arabia 2016: Prescribing and medication management. Methods: It is a 4-months cross-sectional National Survey of Pharmacy Practice at MOH hospitals in Saudi Arabia. The study consisted of two parts; the demographic information and the second part contained eighty-five questions divided into eight domains drove from American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP), Saudi Pharmaceutical Society (SPS) survey, and the international standard of Joint Commission of Hospital Accreditation. The 5-point Likert response scale system was used with closed and ended questions. An electronic questionnaire was distributed to the one hundred eighty-five directors of pharmacies at MOH hospitals. The study discussed and analyzed National Survey of Pharmacy Practice at MOH hospitals in Saudi Arabia: the prescribing and medication management. Results: The survey questionnaire distributed to 185 of hospitals, the rate of reply, was 105 (56.75%) hospitals. The highest score of committee shared by the hospital pharmacy was the pharmacy and therapeutics committee (4.33), quality management committee (4.06), infection control committee (3.88), while the lowest scores were Anticoagulation committee (2.14), DUE committee (2.16) and IV therapy committee (1.99). The most therapeutic guideline available in the hospital pharmacies were antibiotics guidelines (2.91) followed by infection control (2.84) and anticoagulation guidelines (2.13). The majority formulary management method used was restricted prescribing certain expensive drugs 33 (33.1%), review of non-formulary drugs prior approval 27 (25.7%), and the closed drug formulary 14(13.3%). The most drug utilization activities used at the hospitals were Used as the basis for revision of drug-use policies and procedures 44 (41.9%) and Incorporated into medical staff credentialing considerations 27 (25.7%) The pharmacist has the privilege to write medication orders were 18 (17.1%) only. The pharmacist commonly prescribed over the counter medications 19 (57.6%) and antibiotics 15 (45.5%) through the prescription cosigned by physician 55 (52.4%). Followed by Drugs under prescribing protocol 39 (37.1%) and Medications Refill Clinic 26 (24.8%). Conclusion: The hospital seldom participated in the therapeutic guidelines, and the few pharmacists shared in essential hospital committees despite the unique role of providing medication information. Expanding pharmacy activities will improve the prescribing system, patient clinical outcomes, and prevent drug misadventures. Key word: Prescribing, Medication management, Ministry of health, Saudi arabia.

National Survey of Pharmacy Practice at MOH Hospitals in Saudi Arabia 2016-2017: Drug Monitoring and Patients Education

<p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Objective:</strong> To explore National Survey of Pharmacy Practice at MOH hospitals in Saudi Arabia 2016: drug monitoring and patient&rsquo;s education. <strong>Methods:</strong> It is a 4-months cross-sectional National Survey of Pharmacy Practice at MOH hospitals in Saudi Arabia. The study consisted of two parts; the demographic information and the second part contained eighty-five questions divided into nine domains drove from American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) and Saudi Pharmaceutical Society (SPS) survey, the international standard of Joint Commission of Hospital Accreditation in addition to the local standards of Saudi Center of healthcare accreditation.^[1-7] The parts were pharmacy management and resources, prescribing and medication control, preparation of medications and dispensing, Computerized and pharmacy technology, clinical pharmacy services, drug monitoring and patient&rsquo;s education, Pharmacy inventory control and stock management, Pharmacy education and training, pharmacy total quality management and drug information services. An electronic questionnaire distributed to the one hundred eighty-five directors of pharmacies at MOH hospitals. The study discussed and analyzed National Survey of Pharmacy Practice at MOH hospitals in Saudi Arabia: the drug monitoring and patient&rsquo;s education. All analyses are done through survey monkey system. <strong>Results:</strong> The survey questionnaire was distributed to 185 hospitals; the rate of reply was 105 (56.75%). The most type of drug monitoring reporting existed at hospitals was medication error monitoring 80 (80%) followed by patient counseling reporting 72 (79.12%) and drug information inquires 69 (73.4%). The highest type of drug monitoring was patient education reporting (720,000) annually, followed by pharmacist intervention (468,000) annually and a number of prevented medication error per year was (453,600). The most drug monitoring of clinical impact and cost avoidance in the neonates, pediatrics, adults, and geriatrics patients was poisoning information inquiries 59 (56.56%) followed by the pharmacist intervention 52 (57.61%), and drug information inquires 53 (57.61%). The pharmacy patient education given through outpatient services 86 (81.9% and at the bedside during Hospital stay 19 (24.8%) The most Patient Education program 53 (50.5%) covered less than 50% of the bed. The most hospital pharmacies shared in national diabetic world day 62 (59.0%) and national asthma day 30 (28.6%). <strong>Conclusion:</strong> The pharmacist had the active role in drug monitoring and patient counseling. Expanding the pharmacy services with regular documentation is highly recommended to improve the quality of the services and patient healthcare outcomes. <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Key word:</strong> Drug monitoring, Patients education, Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia.

National Survey of Pharmacy Practice at MOH Hospitals in Saudi Arabia 2016-2017: Pharmacy Quality Management and Drug Information Service

<p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Objective:</strong> To explore the National Survey of Pharmacy Practice at MOH hospitals in Saudi Arabia 2016- 2017: Pharmacy Quality Management and Drug Information services.<strong> Methods:</strong> It is a 4-months crosssectional National Survey of Pharmacy Practice at MOH hospitals in Saudi Arabia. The study consisted of two parts; the demographic information and the second part contained eighty-five questions divided into nine domains drove from American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) and Saudi Pharmaceutical Society (SPS) survey, the international standard of Joint Commission of Hospital Accreditation in addition to the local standards of Saudi Center of healthcare accreditation. The parts were pharmacy management and resources, prescribing and medication control, preparation of medications and dispensing, Computerized and pharmacy technology, clinical pharmacy services, drug monitoring and patient&rsquo;s education, Pharmacy inventory control and stock management, Pharmacy education and training, and Pharmacy total quality management and drug information services. The study discussed and analyzed National Survey of Pharmacy Practice at MOH hospitals in Saudi Arabia: Pharmacy Quality Management and Drug Information services. All analysis is done through survey monkey system. <strong>Results:</strong> The survey questionnaire was distributed to 185 of hospitals, the rate of reply, was 105 (56.75%) hospitals. The average scores of pharmacies total quality management were 2.43 (48%) and the program implemented at 3.03 (48.6%). The highest services implemented in quality management was inpatient outpatient dispensing (3.45) inpatient dispensing (3.36) and medication errors preventing and monitoring (3.34). Most of hospital pharmacies had the staff job description 103 (98.10%), Policy and Procedure of Pharmacy 102 (97.14%), and Mission of the Pharmacy 102 (97.14%) and vision of pharmacy 101 (96.19%). While the tiny percentages found were pharmacy annual plan 92 (87.62%), and Patient satisfaction of pharmacy services 90 (85.71%). The highest services of Drug Information Services available at the hospitals were Medications Errors preventing and monitoring (3.53) followed by Respond to Drug Information Questions (3.5) and Participate on Pharmacy and Therapeutic Committee (3.44). <strong>Conclusion:</strong> The half of hospital pharmacies implemented pharmacy total quality management with the variable of drug information services activities. Targeting of education and training on quality management and drug information is required. Also, the incremental human resources of both services are highly recommended to improve pharmacy services offers to the patients at Ministry of Health hospital in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Key word:</strong> Pharmacy quality management, Drug information services, Ministry of health, Saudi arabia.

National Survey of Pharmacy Practice at MOH Hospitals in Saudi Arabia 2016-2017: Pharmacy Management and Resource

Objective: To explore the National Survey of Pharmacy Practice at MOH hospitals in Saudi Arabia 2016- 2017: Pharmacy Management and resources. Methods: It is a 4-months cross-sectional National Survey of Pharmacy Practice at MOH hospitals in Saudi Arabia. The study consisted of two parts; the demographic information and the second part contained eighty-five questions divided into nine domains drove from American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) and Saudi Pharmaceutical Society (SPS) survey, the international standard of Joint Commission of Hospital Accreditation, and the local standards of Saudi Center of healthcare accreditation. An electronic questionnaire was distributed to one hundred eighty-five directors of pharmacies at MOH hospitals. The study discussed and analyzed National Survey of Pharmacy Practice at MOH hospitals in Saudi Arabia: Pharmacy Management and resources. All analysis was done through survey monkey system. Results: The survey questionnaire was distributed to 185 hospitals, the rate of reply, was 105 (56.75%). The most of the hospital pharmacies provide their services to the adult emergency (91.18%), medical (90.82%), and surgical patients (87.76%). The highest number of prescriptions annually was adults emergency (5,094,000), Pediatrics emergency (3,357,000) and medical services (2,340,000). The majority of pharmacy services consisted of outpatient pharmacy 88 (92.63%), inpatient pharmacy 81(82.65 %%), pharmacy store 77 (77.00%), and emergency pharmacy 63(68.48%). The seldom finding of pharmacy services were satellite pharmacy 7(8.33%), clinical pharmacy 7 (10.47%), followed by repackaging system 27 (31.76%) and Intravenous admixture servicers 29(32.22%). The total number prescriptions dispensed were (32,643,000) annually with (25,110.01) prescriptions per hospital per year. The total numbers of pharmacists were (953), and pharmacy technicians were (1251). The average space size of hospital pharmacy was (113.98 m2) with the highest space, outpatient pharmacy (32.16 m2) followed by inpatient pharmacy (24 m2) and pharmacy store (22.42 m2). Conclusion: Most of the hospital pharmacies missed some essential of pharmacy practice with emphasis on Human Resources and clinical pharmacy services. Implementing MOH pharmacy strategic plan with close monitoring is required for all hospitals in Saudi Arabia. Key word: Pharmacy management, Human resources, Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia.

National Survey of Pharmacy Practice at MOH Hospitals in Saudi Arabia 2016-2017: Pharmacy Inventory Control and Stock Management

<p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Objectives:</strong> To explore the pharmacy inventory control and stock management at Ministry of Health (MOH) hospitals in Saudi Arabia. <strong>Methods:</strong> It is a 4-months cross-sectional National Survey of Pharmacy Practice at MOH hospitals in Saudi Arabia. The study consisted of two parts; the demographic information and the second part contained eighty-five questions divided into eight domains drove from American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) and Saudi Pharmaceutical Society (SPS) survey, the international standard of Joint Commission of Hospital Accreditation in addition to the local standards of Saudi Center of healthcare accreditation. The parts were pharmacy management and resources, prescribing and medication control, preparation of medications and dispensing, Computerized and pharmacy technology, clinical pharmacy services, drug monitoring and patient&rsquo;s education, Pharmacy inventory control and stock management, Pharmacy education and training, pharmacy total quality management and drug information services. The 5-point Likert response scale system with closed and ended questions were used. An electronic questionnaire was distributed to the one hundred eighty-five directors of pharmacies at MOH hospitals. The study discussed and analyzed National Survey of Pharmacy Practice at MOH hospitals in Saudi Arabia: pharmacy inventory control and stock management. <strong>Results:</strong> The survey questionnaire distributed to 185 hospitals, the rate of reply was 105 (56.75%) hospitals. The inventory control system was founded at 3.58 (71.6%) hospital pharmacies with highest located at hospital more than 600 beds and 200-299 bed size. The separate medication store was founded in 3.52 (70.4%) of hospital pharmacies with highest located at hospital 200-299 bed size. The complete computerized inventory management system founded at 20 (19%) hospital pharmacies while 53 (50.5%) there is computerized inventory management system. The average score of stock management system was 2.9 (57.92%) with the highest element was a policy and procedure on short expired medication items 3.85 (77.03%) while lowest elements was a Bar-coding system for inventory management system 1.54 (30.89%). The average score of follow-up report of stock management System was 3.22 (64.4%) with the highest report was Short Expired Items Report 3.8 (76%), and the lowest report was Reorder Point Report 2.72 (54.4%). The average score Stock Management System Medication availabilities were 1.83 (36.6%). The drug supply received from actual needing was 2.67 (53.4%), the medications borrowed from another hospital if it is not available in the pharmacy was 1.44 (28.8%) while the medications direct purchased to the hospital if it is not available in the pharmacy was 1.39 (27.8%). <strong>Conclusion:</strong> In hospital pharmacies, there was poor implementation of inventory management system. The full review of the drug stock management system with close monitoring is highly recommended to keep all medication available all the time, prevent under or overstock medications, and prevent all drug demand related problems. <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Key word:</strong> Pharmacy inventory control, Stock management, Ministry of health, Saudi arabia.

Federal data indicate positive labor market for hospital pharmacists.

The national demand for pharmacists will grow by 5.6% during the period 2016–26, including a 6.3% increase in the number of full-time positions for hospital pharmacists, according to the most recent projections from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). That projected growth translates to 17,400 additional pharmacists overall and 4,900 pharmacists at state, local, and private hospitals. The federal projection aligns with the findings of the most recent ASHP national survey of pharmacy practice in hospital settings, said Douglas Scheckelhoff, senior vice president of ASHP’s Office of Practice Advancement. “It’s a positive report,” Scheckelhoff said of the DOL document. “Over the last 15 years, we have seen growth in hospitals and health systems that’s very consistent with what they are reporting and what they’re projecting.” Not all practice settings are expected to grow through 2026. DOL predicted a 4.3% decrease in pharmacist positions at psychiatric and substance abuse hospitals. That prediction includes an expected 31.1% decrease in the number of pharmacist positions at state-owned facilities. Pharmacist positions at privately owned psychiatric and substance abuse hospitals are projected to grow by 23.8% through 2016, according to the report.