HOSPITAL AND CLINICAL PHARMACY, SELECTIVE IMPORTANT QUESTIONS FOR D.PHARM PART-II ANNUAL EXAM

 

HOSPITAL AND CLINICAL PHARMACY

PREPARED BY MR. ABHIJIT DAS

1.    DEFINE PTC. FUNCTIONS OF PTC AND ROLE OF PTC IN DRUG SAFETY.

Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee (PTC):

The PTC is a group of healthcare professionals in hospitals that helps decide which medicines should be used, how they should be used, and ensures they are used safely.

 

Functions:

Ø Choose Medicines: Select and approve drugs for the hospital’s use.

Ø Set Policies: Create and enforce rules for how medicines should be used.

Ø Ensure Safety: Monitor medication use to prevent errors and adverse reactions.

Ø Control Costs: Ensure drugs are used efficiently and affordably.

Ø Educate Staff: Provide training on safe and effective medication use.

Role:

Ø Advisory Role: Guides the hospital on drug use and policies.

Ø Decision-Making: Decides which drugs are included in the hospital's formulary.

Ø Safety: Ensures medications are used safely by reviewing and monitoring practices.

Ø Collaboration: Works with healthcare staff to improve patient care through better medication management.

2.    DEFINE HOSPITAL, DESCRIBE IT’S CLASSIFICATION AND FUNCTION.

Definition of Hospital:

A hospital is a healthcare institution that provides medical, surgical, and nursing care to patients who are sick or injured.

Classification of Hospitals:

Ø Based on Ownership:

·       Public/Government: Run by the government.

·       Private: Owned by private entities or organizations.

Ø Based on Specialization:

·       General: Provides a wide range of medical services.

·       Specialized: Focuses on specific areas like cardiology, oncology, or pediatrics.

Ø Based on Size:

·       Small: Fewer beds and services.

·       Large: More beds and comprehensive services.

Functions of a Hospital:

Ø Patient Care: Provide diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation services.

Ø Education: Train healthcare professionals.

Ø Research: Conduct medical and healthcare research.

Ø Public Health: Promote health awareness and disease prevention in the community.

3.    WRITE ABOUT THE REQUIREMENTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF HOSPITAL PHARMACIST?

Requirements for a Hospital Pharmacist:

Ø Educational Qualification: A Diploma in Pharmacy (D.Pharm), although a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree is preferred for advanced positions.

Ø Registration: Registered with the State Pharmacy Council.

Ø Experience: Relevant experience in clinical pharmacy is preferred.

Responsibilities:

Ø Medication Management: Ensure safe and effective use of medications.

Ø Patient Counseling: Provide information and advice on medication use.

Ø Collaboration: Work with doctors and nurses to optimize patient care.

Ø Regulatory Compliance: Follow legal and hospital guidelines for drug use.

4.    DEFINE INPATIENT. BRIEFLY DISCUSS ABOUT DRUG DISTRIBUTION FOR INPATIENT IN A HOSPITAL.

Inpatient refers to a patient who is admitted to a hospital or healthcare facility for at least one overnight stay for treatment, surgery, or observation. These patients require close monitoring, ongoing treatment, or intensive care that cannot be effectively provided in an outpatient setting.

DRUG DISTRIBUTION FOR INPATIENTS IN A HOSPITAL:

      I.          INDIVIDUAL PRESCRIPTION ORDER METHOD:

  • Medications are prescribed by a doctor and then the pharmacy prepares and dispenses these medications, which are then delivered to the patient’s ward or unit.
  • Advantages: Allows for individualized medication management based on specific patient needs.
  • Disadvantages: Can be time-consuming and may lead to delays in medication administration.

   II.          FLOOR STOCK METHOD:

  • Medications are stored on the nursing floor or ward in bulk or stock. Nurses have access to these medications and can administer them as needed based on doctor’s orders.
  • Advantages: Reduces delays in medication administration since nurses can access medications directly.
  • Disadvantages: Higher risk of medication errors, potential for drug theft or misuse, and difficulties in tracking inventory.

 III.          UNIT DOSE DRUG DISTRIBUTION METHOD:

  • Medications are dispensed in single-dose packages, labeled for individual patients, and delivered to the nursing units. Each dose is prepackaged and ready for administration at the prescribed time.
  • Advantages: Enhances accuracy in drug administration, reduces medication errors, and simplifies inventory management.
  • Disadvantages: Requires more complex preparation and packaging processes by the pharmacy.

IV.          DRUG BASKET METHOD:

  • Medications are placed in a basket or container for each patient and delivered to the nursing unit. The basket contains all the medications needed for a specific period, often for a shift or a day.
  • Advantages: Simplifies medication distribution and reduces time spent by nurses retrieving individual doses.
  • Disadvantages: May lead to confusion if multiple patients have similar medications, and it can be challenging to track and manage medication usage.

5.    DEFINE HOSPITAL FORMULARY. PROCEDURE FOR DEVELOPMENT AND USE OF HOSPITAL FORMULARY.

Hospital Formulary

  • Definition: A list of approved medications for use in a hospital, chosen based on effectiveness, safety, and cost.

Procedure for Development:

1.    Assessment:

·        Evaluate patient needs and review drug data.

2.    Selection:

·        Choose medications based on effectiveness, safety, and cost.

·        Consult with experts for input.

3.    Approval:

·        Present to the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee for approval.

4.    Implementation:

·        Integrate the formulary into hospital policies.

5.    Review:

·        update the formulary regularly.

Uses of a Hospital Formulary:

  • Promotes Safety: Reduces medication errors.
  • Controls Costs: Manages medication expenses.
  • Facilitates Education: A reference for healthcare training.

 

6.    DRUG INTERACTIONS

Drug Interactions

  • Definition: When one drug’s effects are changed by another drug, food, or substance.
  • Types:
    • Drug-drug: Changes in absorption, distribution, metabolism, or excretion.
    • Drug-Food: Foods altering drug effects (e.g., grapefruit juice).
    • Drug-Disease: Health conditions affecting drug action.
  • Clinical Significance:
    • Reduced efficacy
    • Increased toxicity
    • Unexpected side effects

7.    PHARMACOVIGILANCE

Pharmacovigilance

  • Definition: The science and activities focused on detecting, assessing, understanding, and preventing adverse effects of drugs.
  • Aim: To ensure safe and effective use of medicines by monitoring and minimizing adverse drug reactions (ADRs).
  • Importance:
    • Enhances patient safety
    • Identifies rare or serious ADRs early
    • Improves public confidence in drug safety

 

8.    POISONING AND GENERAL PRANCIPLES OF ITS TREATMENT

Poisoning

  • Definition: Harmful effects on the body caused by ingestion, inhalation, or exposure to toxic substances.
  • General Principles of Treatment:
    • Stabilization: Ensure airway, breathing, and circulation are stable.
    • Decontamination: Remove or reduce the poison (e.g., activated charcoal).
    • Supportive Care: Provide symptom management and vital support.
    • Antidote Administration: Use specific antidotes when available and indicated.
    • Elimination Enhancement: Accelerate poison removal (e.g., dialysis in severe cases).

9.    MEDICATION ERRORS

Medication Errors

  • Definition: Mistakes in prescribing, dispensing, or administering medication that can harm patients.
  • Types:
    • Prescribing Errors: Incorrect drug, dose, or instructions.
    • Dispensing Errors: Wrong medication or incorrect labeling.
    • Administration Errors: Mistakes in timing, route, or dose given.
  • Causes:
    • Miscommunication
    • Inadequate knowledge
    • Similar drug names or packaging
  • LASA Drugs (Look-Alike, Sound-Alike): Drugs with similar names or appearance, increasing error risk (e.g., Celebrex vs. Celexa).
  • Tallman Lettering: Capitalizing parts of LASA drug names to differentiate (e.g., hydrOXYzine vs. hydrALAzine).

10. APPLICATION OF COMPUTERS IN HOSPITAL PHARMACY

  • Drug Info & Prescriptions: Store drug details and process prescriptions quickly and accurately.
  • Inventory Management: Track stock and automate orders to avoid shortages.
  • Patient Records: Keep medication histories for safer, personalized care.
  • Safety Alerts: Identify drug interactions and allergies to protect patients.
  • Billing: Streamline billing and insurance processes, reducing errors.

11. VARIOUS SOFTWARES USED IN HOSPITAL PHARMACY

  • Pharmacy Management Systems: Manage prescriptions, inventory, and patient records (e.g., Mediware, Rx30).
  • Electronic Health Records (EHR): Store and access patient medical histories and medication profiles (e.g., Epic, Cerner).
  • Clinical Decision Support Systems (CDSS): Alert for drug interactions, allergies, and dosing (e.g., Meditech, Wolters Kluwer).
  • Inventory Management Software: Track stock levels, expiry, and automate reorders (e.g., Supplylogix, Omnicell).
  • Billing & Insurance Software: Handle billing, insurance claims, and financial records (e.g., MediClick, McKesson).

 

12. VED ANALYSIS

  • Definition: A method to classify drugs and materials based on their importance in treatment.
  • Categories:
    • V (Vital): Essential for survival; must always be in stock.
    • E (Essential): Important but can tolerate short shortages.
    • D (Desirable): Not critical; stock can be minimized.
  • Purpose: Helps prioritize inventory, ensuring availability of medicines.

 

13. FLOOR STOCK METHOD

  • Definition: A system where commonly used medications are stored directly on the hospital floors for quick access by healthcare staff.
  • Process: Medications are stocked in locked carts on each unit, and authorized staff can access them without needing to go to the pharmacy each time.
  • Advantages:
    • Reduces medication retrieval time.
    • Improves efficiency in emergency situations.
  • Disadvantages:
    • Risk of medication errors or misuse.
    • Requires careful inventory control to prevent theft or loss.

14. ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE OF HOSPITAL PHARMACY.

  • Chief Pharmacist: Leads and manages the pharmacy.
  • Clinical Pharmacists: Advise on patient drug therapy.
  • Dispensing Pharmacists: Handle prescriptions and dispensing.
  • Pharmacy Technicians: Assist with medication prep and inventory.
  • Support Staff: Manage billing and records.

15. INFECTION CONTROL COMMITTEE

  • Objectives:
    • Prevent and control infections in the hospital.
    • Develop infection prevention policies.
  • Composition:
    • Doctors (Infectious disease specialist, microbiologist)
    • Nurses
    • Pharmacist
    • Housekeeping and administrative staff
  • Functions:
    • Set and review infection control policies.
    • Conduct infection surveillance and audits.
    • Provide staff training on infection prevention.
    • Monitor and report infection rates in the hospital.

16. DISTRIBUTION OF NARCOTIC AND PSYCHOTIC SUBSTANCES.

  • Regulated: Controlled by strict laws.
  • Authorized Staff: Only licensed staff handle them.
  • Record-Keeping: Every transaction is logged.
  • Secure Storage: Stored in locked, secure areas.
  • Audits: Regular checks prevent misuse.

17. DISTRIBUTION OF DRUGS TO ICCU/ICU/EMERGENCY WARDS

  • Immediate Access: Essential drugs are always available.
  • Floor Stock: Common medications are stored on-site.
  • Emergency Kits: Ready-to-use kits for critical situations.
  • Authorized Staff: Only trained staff handle distribution.
  • Regular checks: Stocks are checked and refilled frequently

18. AUTOMATED DRUG DISPENSING SYSTEM

  • Definition: A machine that stores and dispenses medications electronically.
  • Benefits:
    • Quick Access: Speeds up medication retrieval.
    • Accuracy: Reduces human error.
    • Secure: Only authorized staff can access.
    • Inventory Control: Tracks stock levels automatically.

Used in hospitals to improve efficiency and patient safety.

19.  HOME MEDICATION REVIEW

  • Definition: A process where a healthcare professional reviews a patient's medications at home.
  • Purpose:
    • Ensure correct medication use.
    • Identify any potential drug interactions.
    • Monitor side effects.
  • Benefits:
    • Improves patient safety.
    • Enhances communication between patients and healthcare providers.

20. MEDICATION THERAPY MANAGEMENT

(SAME AS ‘HOME MEDICATION REVIEW’ AT HOSPITAL)

21. GOOD PHARMACY PRACTICE

Good Pharmacy Practice (GPP)

  • Definition: A set of guidelines to ensure that pharmacy services are delivered safely, effectively, and ethically to improve patient health.
  • Aim:
    • Ensure patient safety in medication use.
    • Promote the proper use of medicines.
    • Improve healthcare outcomes through professional pharmacy services.

22. RADIO PHARMACEUTICALS

  • Definition: Drugs that contain radioactive materials used for diagnosis or treatment.
  • Use:
    • Diagnosis: Used in imaging {e.g., PET scans (Positron Emission Tomography)}.
    • Treatment: Used to target and treat certain cancers.
  • Safety: Handled with care due to their radioactive nature.

23. NABH ACCREDITATION

NABH Accreditation

  • Definition: A certification by the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH) that ensures hospitals meet high-quality standards.
  • Purpose:
    • Improve healthcare quality.
    • Ensure adherence to national and international standards.
  • Benefits:
    • Enhances hospital reputation.
    • Ensures better patient care and safety.

24. INVENTORY CONTROL TECHNIQUES

1.    Economic Order Quantity (EOQ):

·        Definition: The ideal order quantity that minimizes total inventory costs (ordering + holding costs).

·        Formula: EOQ = √(2DS/H)

Ø D: Demand for the product

Ø S: Ordering cost per order

Ø H: Holding cost per unit per year

2.    Reorder Quantity Level:

·        Definition: The stock level at which a new order is placed to avoid stockouts.

3.    Inventory Turnover:

·        Definition: Measures how often inventory is used in a given period. Higher turnover means efficient inventory management.

NOTE:

  • Example: If a hospital pharmacy has a stock of 1000 items and sells 500 items in a year, the inventory turnover rate would be 500/1000 = 0.5.
  • Higher Turnover: For example, selling 1000 items in a year instead of 500 shows a higher turnover, meaning less unsold stock is sitting on the shelves.

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