Justifying and implementing an ophthalmic pharmacy practice

Abstract

The justification for and implementation of an ophthalmic care satellite pharmacy at the eye center of a university hospital are described. A pharmacy dedicated to ophthalmic care was developed in conjunction with a new eye care center. The eye center pharmacy staff, in consultation with other members of the pharmacy department, determined the services to be provided: preparing pharmaceuticals for operating room and clinic use, performing medication evaluations for all patients undergoing surgery, taking and documenting medication histories, providing distributive services, counseling surgical patients about their prescriptions and the care of their eyes after surgery, and checking on patients after discharge. Services were implemented after feedback was received from ophthalmology department physicians and from eye care pharmacies at other institutions. Before working in the eye center pharmacy, pharmacists received in service instruction. To assist in its medication evaluation and counselling efforts, the pharmacy introduced a medical information form, which is used for both surgical and clinic patients. An adverse drug reaction-reporting program was also introduced. Establishment of a satellite pharmacy specializing in ophthalmic care resulted in improved outpatient and surgical pharmacy services and better provision of information on ophthalmic pharmaceuticals.