 Salinas Valley Memorial’s new 2,400-square-foot pharmacy opened on March 23, 2005. Business offices within the hospital were transformed into a state-of-the-art pharmacy facility that occupies nearly double the space of its predecessor. The pharmacy is staffed by 21 pharmacists and 18 pharmacy technicians who fill more than 650,000 prescription orders each year.
In addition to the larger space, two technological advancements greatly increase patient safety and efficiency. Salinas Valley Memorial is one of 60 hospitals in the United States and one of the first in the region to have an in-house specialized clean room, also called a sterile compounding facility. Ken Bear, RPh, Pharmacy Operations Manager, was instrumental in designing the clean room and training staff in its use. “This special facility is used for preparing medications that are delivered intravenously as well as chemotherapy drugs,” says Bear. “We are one of the first hospitals in the state to meet and exceed the new standards established by the U.S. Pharmaceuticals 797 code that will be effective January 1, 2006.”
Another significant advancement was installation of a computerized pneumatic tube system. The sophisticated system enables automated delivery of medications to 32 stations located throughout the hospital today. Two more stations will be added in 2006. It not only dramatically reduces delivery time to the various nursing units, it reduces the need for trips to and from the pharmacy.
“Pharmacists are part the patient care team,” says Terry Pettitt, Pharm D, Director of the Pharmacy. “We work closely with medical staff and nurses, and they rely on our expertise with drug dosing protocols, and other medication management issues. The new pharmacy demonstrates the hospital’s leadership in having advanced medical technology as well as its dedication to patient safety.”
Later this year, the pharmacy will implement the Pyxis Connect System. This automated electronic prescription ordering system receives and processes the orders through scanning and computer technology. “This will save nurses, physicians and pharmacy staff a tremendous amount of time in providing medications to our patients,” says Pettitt. “The new system will adapt to bar coding which will be implemented in 2006. “
“We are very proud of the new pharmacy,” says David Perrott, MD, Senior Vice President/Medical Director for Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital. “It provides an outstanding workplace for our employees and utilizes new technology to improve patient safety and quality of care.” |
