High-Alert Medication Stratification Tool-Revised Phase II: A Multisite Study Examining the Validity, Interrater Reliability, and Ease of Use of the High-Alert Medication Stratification Tool-Revised.

Objectives: The primary objective of this multisite study, High-Alert Medication Stratification Tool-Revised (HAMST-R) phase II, was to assess the content validity of HAMST-R. Secondary outcomes included interrater reliability and ease of use.

Methods: HAMST-R was designed as an objective tool to evaluate high-alert medications (HAMs) at a single site during HAMST-R Phase I.

Enactment of mandatory pharmacy technician certification in Kansas.

Purpose: The successful enactment of mandatory pharmacy technician certification in Kansas is described.

Methods: In 2004, Kansas began requiring registration of all pharmacy technicians with the state board of pharmacy. Registration identified individuals working as pharmacy technicians but did not require any specific education or certification.

Building a business case for an outpatient pharmacy.

To be successful, an outpatient prescription pharmacy service built and operated by a hospital should be run as a competitive business, not in the manner of an inpatient operation. The outpatient pharmacy should not be a siloed entity that operates separately from the inpatient pharmacy. A hospital may miss a significant margin opportunity if it runs the pharmacy strictly as a safety net for uninsured or underinsured patients.