Experience with a "tech-check-tech" program in an academic medical center.

Purpose: A "tech-check-tech" (TCT) program to support unit dose drug distribution at an academic medical center is described.

Summary: In April 2004, the University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics implemented a TCT program to provide validated pharmacy technicians with the opportunity to serve as the person checking unit dose medication cassettes that are filled during a 24-hour cart-fill process. This program required special authorization from the Wisconsin Pharmacy Examining Board and included detailed training and validation expectations of the pharmacy technicians, along with quality-assurance oversight by pharmacists who are completing a double check.

Comparison of two personal-computer-based mobile devices to support pharmacists' clinical documentation.

Purpose: Two personal-computer (PC)-based mobile devices used to support electronic clinical pharmacy documentation on two decentralized units at a large academic medical center were compared.

Methods: A five-week, two-phase pilot study was performed to compare a laptop computer on a mobile cart ("computer on wheels," or COW) with a tablet PC for pharmacist preference and ability to support electronic clinical documentation. The study was performed on the inpatient transplant unit and the pediatric hematology-oncology unit.

Strategic approach for improving the medication-use process in health systems: the high-performance pharmacy practice framework.

Purpose: A strategic approach to improving the medication-use process in health systems by using a framework for setting priorities on the basis of feasibility, the potential for financial return, and the effect on quality and safety is described.

Summary: A panel consisting of leaders in health-system pharmacy identified seven dimensions of high-performance pharmacy (HPP) framework: medication preparation and delivery, patient care services, medication safety, medication-use policy, financial performance, human resources, and education. Performance elements, which are specific policies, procedures, activities, and practices that indicate high performance and result in a financial or clinical return on investment of resources, within each dimension were identified.

Pharmacy residency training in academic medical centers.

Purpose: A survey of U.S. academic medical centers (AMCs) was conducted to identify the most important and challenging issues in pharmacy residency training.