Information for Pharmacy Intern Applicants
Vision Statement To provide excellence in pharmaceutical care by putting people first This vision encompasses all aspects of the Pharmacy service from procurement of drugs, through to clinical advice given at a ward level to patients, and includes all our services such as dispensing, distribution, manufacturing and medicines information. Mission Statement To provide Auckland District Health Board with efficient, cost-effective pharmaceutical services of the highest quality To establish systems and structures that will provide for: Enhanced customer and patient service in the short term; Provide the foundation for the long-term clinical and commercial success of the Pharmacy Department within the Auckland District Health Board (ADHB). ADHB Goals 1. Lift the health of people in the Auckland DHB area 2. Lead Performance Improvement 3. Live within our means Guiding Principles Patient and Customer focused Value our staff Quality and excellence Cost effective and efficient Innovative and proactive Support teaching, training and research 2
Background The Department of Pharmacy in Auckland District Health Board (ADHB) is a division of Operations. The key purpose of the department is to provide expert advice and assistance to ensure the safe and cost effective prescribing, dispensing and administration of all medications within ADHB. The Department of Pharmacy provides pharmacy services to ADHB, which comprises: Auckland City Hospital Starship Children s Health National Women s Health Community and Mental Health Services The Department of Pharmacy is spread over several locations within the ADHB: The In-Patient Pharmacy is on the 6th floor of the Support Building of Auckland City Hospital. This area houses the Main Dispensary, Clinical Area, Medicines Information, Distribution, Inventory, Aseptics, Manufacturing, Clinical Trials and the Management and Admin offices. The Pharmacy Aseptic Production Unit (PAPU) is located in Building 9 (alongside the Domain) at Auckland City Hospital. Two Retail Pharmacies, one on Level 5 of Auckland City hospital and one at the Greenlane Clinical Centre which is on a separate site, approximately 7km away. A staff shuttle regularly travels between the two sites. Our hospital pharmacy team currently consists of over 60 pharmacists, 27 pharmacy technicians, 14 pharmacy assistants and 5 support staff and is responsible for the procurement and management of an annual drug budget of over $50million. The retail team includes 10 pharmacists, 5 pharmacy technicians and 3 assistants 3
Overview of Pharmacy Services Operational Services Medicine distribution The in-patient dispensary supplies medicine for ADHB in-patients including Section 29 unregistered items. Weekend leave medications. Self-medicating in-patients. Blister packing for specific areas Controlled and restricted drugs Wards also have a range of stock medications,and their supply is co-ordinated by a pharmacy technician and assistant Manufacture of specialist sterile and non-sterile products The in-patient pharmacy manufacture between 800 850 sterile and non-sterile items a month to meet requests for products that are not available commercially. Clinical Trials Pharmacy participate in clinical trials involving medications being conducted at ADHB Pharmacy review protocols, advise investigators re trial design, dispense, reconcile and store medicines as needed, counsel patients and keep appropriate records. On-call Service A Pharmacist is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week via switchboard for clinical advice and urgent supplies out of hours. Clinical Pharmacy Service All Pharmacists belong to one of five teams each led by a Clinical Team Leader. The five Clinical Pharmacy Teams comprise the following clinical specialities Team 1: Team 2 : Team 3 : Team 4: Team 5: Surgery Paediatrics and Women s Health Medicine and Older People s Health Community & Mental Health Oncology and Haematology Each pharmacist is responsible for a ward or clinical speciality, to ensure patients receive safe, effective and appropriate drug treatment. This involves working closely at ward level with the medical and nursing team, screening drug charts, completing medicine reconciliation, and counselling patients when appropriate. 4
Medicines Management Medicines Information (MI) Service Provides accurate, relevant, independent and timely information regarding medicines and their use in response to enquiries from ADHB staff. Maintains the MI Website, which provides resources for prescribers, nursing staff and pharmacists. Formulary Provides a preferred medicines list of evidence-based medicines and guidelines to promote rational prescribing and cost-effective pharmaceutical care. Procurement Manage the contract for the purchase of pharmaceuticals for ADHB in conjunction with Materials Management. Maintain inventory levels and minimising risk of out of stock situations using electronic ordering system. Medication Safety The Medication Safety team develop and implement strategies to reduce risks associated with medicines across ADHB. They implement any national guidance relating to safe medicine use across ADHB and assist in the review of medicine related incident reports. Pharmacy Aseptic Production Unit The unit manufactures and dispenses chemotherapy for adult and paediatric oncology & haematology patients, including those on clinical trials. An after hours service is available for out of hours compounding. Retail Pharmacies ACH Retail Pharmacy Located on level 5 of ACH, they dispense a high number of prescriptions for patients discharged from the hospital. This includes specialist medicines and many extemporaneus products e.g. liquids for Starship patients. They also have a busy OTC and retail sector serving patients, staff and visitors to the hospital. Greenlane Clinical Centre Pharmacy They are located at the entrance to the Greenlane Clinical centre, and provide a dispensing service to the many out-patients attending clinics at Greenlane. They also have a busy OTC and retail section. 5