Drug information skills for pharmacy students: curriculum integration. Restructuring pharmacy services to reduce expenses without eliminating services. Improving access to computer-based library and drug information services in patient-care areas. online pharmacy references

Online pharmacy literature

Bull Med Libr Assoc. 1990 Jan;78(1):8-14.
Drug information skills for pharmacy students: curriculum integration.

Wood EH, Morrison JL, Oppenheimer PR.

University of Southern California, Norris Medical Library, Los Angeles 90033.

For pharmacy students to provide optimal and complete pharmaceutical care, it is vital that they develop drug information skills. At the University of Southern California, the School of Pharmacy and the Norris Medical Library have established an interactive educational program. Library programs support an increasingly complex progression of information retrieval, evaluation, organization, application, and communication. Librarians are systematically involved in all four years of coursework for the doctor of pharmacy degree. Training and experience in computer literacy and online database searching are included in the library components. Description of the educational program covers its beginning a decade ago, current status, and future in an environment of rapidly advancing technology.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=2295022&dopt=Abstract

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Am J Hosp Pharm. 1990 Mar;47(3):579-84.
Restructuring pharmacy services to reduce expenses without eliminating services.

Mahoney CD.

Pharmacy Services and Materials Management, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence 02903.

The manner in which pharmaceutical services in a 719-bed teaching institution were restructured to reduce expenses without eliminating services is described. Before the department was restructured, the labor-intensive nature of the drug distribution system and high personnel costs hindered the introduction of upgraded services. Drugs were dispensed from a central pharmacy and 14 pharmacy satellites located throughout the hospital campus. A traditional floor stock system was used in the critical-care units, the operating suites, and the pediatric facility; i.v. admixture services were provided to only two patient-care units. Under a three-year strategic plan, the organizational structure of the department was changed to regroup existing functions and to give more autonomy to the managers. The 12 small pharmacy satellites in the main hospital building were replaced by two larger and more efficiently designed satellites. An automated medication order entry system with bar-code-reading capabilities was installed; automation was also used to increase the efficiency of the nutritional support and oncology services and to create an online file of all statistical, fiscal, and purchasing records. Fax machines that were installed on five critical-care units and the oncology unit decreased turnaround time for new medication orders. These changes enabled the department to eliminate 17 positions while adding 5 clinical pharmacist specialist positions and 6 technician group leader positions. By integrating automation technology with controlled downsizing and restructuring of drug distribution services, the department was able to reduce expenses while improving existing pharmaceutical services.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=2316542&dopt=Abstract

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Am J Hosp Pharm. 1990 Jan;47(1):137-42.
Improving access to computer-based library and drug information services in patient-care areas.

Tobia RC, Bierschenk NF, Knodel LC, Bowden VM.

Public Services, Briscoe Library, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio 78284.

A project to increase access to drug and biomedical information through electronic linkage of drug information and library services to three patient-care areas is described. In February 1987, microcomputer work stations were installed in the Bexar County Hospital District's hospital emergency department, medical residents' office, and ambulatory-care clinic, as well as in The University of Texas Health Science Center's library reference area and drug information service office. Drug information was available on compact disk through the Micromedex Computerized Clinical Information System (CCIS) database, which includes DRUGDEX, POISINDEX, EMERGINDEX, and IDENTIDEX. Each work station was also connected to the library's computer via modem, allowing access to the Library Information System, books, journals, audiovisual materials, miniMEDLINE, and an electronic mail system. During the six-month project, the system was used 5487 times by 702 people. The system was successful in providing drug and other information in clinical settings and in introducing clinical staff members to new information technology. To increase access to the system after the project ended, the CD-ROM version was discontinued, and the distributed tape version of CCIS for VAX computers was added to the library's online information system, making drug information more available throughout the campus and teaching hospitals. In 1988-89 an average of 200 people accessed the tape version of CCIS each month. Although it is difficult to replace the convenience of an onsite library, at least some drug and biomedical information needs in the clinical setting can be met through computer networking.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=2405657&dopt=Abstract

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