Harmonization of technology across an integrated delivery network.

Purpose: A standardized blueprint for use when harmonizing or standardizing pharmacy automation and technology resources across individual institutions or an integrated delivery network (IDN) of institutions is described.

Summary: Whether to strive for standardization (use of the same vendors and equipment) versus harmonization (use of various technologies to meet patient-specific needs and organizational stability requirements) and how to coordinate activities across IDNs consisting of 3-30 or more hospitals are common questions due to consolidations in the healthcare industry. For most IDNs with legacy systems, harmonization may be the better option.

Using a novel approach to collect, disseminate, and assess residency application materials.

Purpose: The implementation of a Web-based tool for pharmacy resident application submission and management in a teaching-affiliated institution is described.

Summary: To improve and increase the efficiency of its residency application submission and management process, pharmacy leadership at the University of Michigan abandoned the traditional paper-based process for selecting and communicating with residency candidates for an onsite interview. CTools, a customized version of the open-source Sakai learning content management system, was used to construct the pharmacy residency application and evaluation site.

Improving investigational drug service operations through development of an innovative computer system.

Purpose: The development of a computerized system for protocol management, dispensing, inventory accountability, and billing by the investigational drug service (IDS) of a university health system is described.

Summary: After an unsuccessful search for a commercial system that would accommodate the variation among investigational protocols and meet regulatory requirements, the IDS worked with the health-system pharmacy's information technology staff and informatics pharmacists to develop its own system. The informatics pharmacists observed work-flow and information capture in the IDS and identified opportunities for improved efficiency with an automated system.

Effect of pharmacy practice residency training on residents' knowledge of and interest in clinical research.

Purpose: The effect of pharmacy practice residency training on subjectively and objectively assessed research knowledge, skills, and interests of residents was studied.

Methods: A preintervention versus post-intervention design was used. Residency year 2004- 05 residents were administered a validated Web-based survey at the beginning of residency and again at the end of residency.

Evaluation of clinical research knowledge and interest among pharmacy residents: survey design and validation.

Purpose: The development and validation of a survey to describe the research knowledge, attitudes, and skills of pharmacy practice residents are described.

Summary: A survey was drafted to determine if pharmacy practice residency experience and the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP)-required project improve the residents' objectively and subjectively assessed research knowledge, to determine if the residency experience and the ASHP-required project affect the residents' attitudes regarding research as a component of their future professional practice, and to subjectively assess the effect of the residency experience and the ASHP-required project on other essential skills, such as problem solving, critical thinking, and time management. An initial questionnaire was developed and underwent content validation testing by clinical pharmacists and faculty, residents, and research fellows.

Experiences incorporating Tablet PCcs into clinical pharmacists' workflow.

Tablet PCs are portable computers that combine the power of a laptop with an intuitive pendriven interface that have been heavily promoted for vertical industries such as healthcare. The authors describe their experiences with tablet PCs used by clinical pharmacists in a large academic medical center. A slate tablet with a large screen and wireless networking capability was chosen.