Meet the Pharmacy Team Experts in Medicine. Pharmacy Department

Transcription

1 Meet the Pharmacy Team Experts in Medicine Pharmacy Department Leaflet Ref: Published: 03/16 Review: 03/19 Page 1

2 Our role on the ward Your ward based pharmacy team consists of a pharmacist and a pharmacy technician. Each pharmacy team review on average 50 in-patients a day, ensuring their medications are safe and appropriate. The pharmacy team reviews all newly admitted patients and completes an accurate drug history for each patient. We produce a list of current medications that you receive from your GP, specialist doctor at hospital and/ or have had from a previous admission to hospital. We do this by accessing GP records (with your permission) and checking with you (or your carer) how you usually take your medicines at home. Any allergies and sensitivities to medicines are also checked. We also ask you if you take any medicines that you have purchased over the counter or herbal supplements. We then use this information to check what medicines should be prescribed for you whilst you are in hospital, taking into account your clinical condition (the reason why you are in hospital). We work closely with your consultant team to make sure that each medication prescribed for you is safe, effective and appropriate. Coca Cola was invented by a pharmacist to cure headaches Your Stay In Hospital The Pharmacist: The pharmacist reviews your medication chart, making sure that all prescribed medications are right for you. To ensure correct doses for medicines, we need to consider your weight and sometimes your height, your blood test results including your kidney and liver function, whether you are currently able to swallow tablets or not, and the medicines that are prescribed for you are in line with local and national policies and the latest medical evidence. We also need to know your views and wishes about your treatment; to help us to make the right choices/ decisions together, for the medication you may receive. Pharmacists advise prescribers, doctors, nurses and patients about medicines. Some pharmacists are qualified as prescribers and will ensure you get the medication that you need prescribed in a timely manner. Leaflet Ref: Published: 03/16 Review: 03/19 Page 2

3 The pharmacist is also available to explain to you about any new medications started in hospital and answer any queries that you may have about your existing medicines. The Pharmacist Technician: The pharmacy technician supports the pharmacist in the above processes. They also check for any newly prescribed medications on your medication chart and make sure that the medicines are supplied and labelled in the right way for you. They are qualified to talk to you about any new medicines you have been prescribed. The Trust makes sure that all medicines are stored safely, so whilst you are in hospital we secure your medications in the medication lockers at the side of your bed. The pharmacy technician has access to this box and will check that your medicines are reordered if supplies are running low. The only other members of staff with access to this medicines locker are the nurse who is looking after you and the ward pharmacist. Agatha Christie was qualified as an Apothecary s assistant (pharmacy technician) On Discharge The pharmacy team helps your doctor in making sure that the medicines you are prescribed when you leave hospital (discharged), are safe and effective and that you have adequate supplies of them. Process of supplying your medication when you are leaving hospital 1. The Consultant team who are looking after you decide when you are fit to leave hospital. 2. Among other tasks, the ward doctor firstly has to complete for you an electronic discharge letter which includes details of; your diagnoses, clinical notes, follow up you may need and a prescription for your medication. This information is for both you and your GP. 3. The doctor or nurse then needs to inform the ward pharmacy team that your discharge prescription if ready for them to process Leaflet Ref: Published: 03/16 Review: 03/19 Page 3

4 4. The pharmacist reviews the discharge information, checking that the medication matches your inpatient drug chart, checking doses are correct and appropriate, that interacting medicines are avoided, allergies are documented and whether the medicines we have used in hospital are appropriate for you to use once you leave hospital. If we notice any problems or alternative treatments are required we contact your doctor to discuss this with them. 5. Medication is then supplied and appropriate directions are written on the label for your individual use. If your medicine and dose remain unchanged from admission and you have brought in your own supply, we can re-use these medications. If there have been any changes we will either re-label your own supplies or if new medicines are needed, these will be provided. 6. If some of your medications have been stopped by your doctor, we will ask you if you will let us dispose of these for you. 7. If your discharge includes medication being dispensed in a blister pack compliance aid, or if you need a Controlled Drug, these are dispensed in the hospital pharmacy rather than on the ward. We aim to complete all discharges within an hour and all discharges requiring a blister pack, within 90 minutes. These blister packs take longer to prepare than other prescriptions as each medicine need to be removed from its original packet and placed individually in a compartment of a daily blister pack (see photograph below) 8. If you need a blister pack for your medicines then please let your ward pharmacy team know. We will also talk to your community pharmacy and let them know of any changes to your prescription. Leaflet Ref: Published: 03/16 Review: 03/19 Page 4

5 9. Once all items are dispensed they are checked again by a member of the pharmacy team to ensure accuracy. 10. We will discuss with you any changes or new medications and if you need any more information about your medicines then please ask us. We also have a Neighbourhood Integrated Medicines Optimisation Service (NIMO pharmacy team). This team offers support to patients who have problems with taking their medicines at home. The team can visit you in your own home and are happy to help with any concerns you may have. Please ask your ward pharmacy team if you would like the NIMO team to support you once you leave hospital. Leaflet Ref: Published: 03/16 Review: 03/19 Page 5

6 For further information on the references and sources used for this leaflet, please contact Comments, compliments or complaints We welcome any suggestions you have about the quality of our care and our services. Contact us: Freephone: Phone: Textphone: Customer Care, Reception, Macclesfield District General Hospital, Victoria Road, Cheshire SK10 3BL For large print, audio, Braille version or translation, contact Communications and Engagement on East Cheshire NHS Trust operates a smoke-free policy (including e-cigarettes) For advice on stopping smoking please contact our Stop Smoking Service on East Cheshire NHS Trust does not tolerate any form of discrimination, harassment, bullying or abuse and is committed to ensuring that patients, staff and the public are treated fairly, with dignity and respect. We welcome user reviews of our leaflets. Please share your comments, reviews and feedback with us by sending to ecn-tr.patientinformation@nhs.net Leaflet Ref: Published: 03/16 Review: 03/19 Page 6