Pharmacy Services: Essential Roles and Departments at Mount Carmel

Pharmacy services are a cornerstone of healthcare, ensuring that patients receive the right medications, at the right time, in the right way. Pharmacy teams play diverse roles, collaborating with healthcare providers to optimize patient care across various settings, from hospitals to outpatient clinics. Below is an overview of the different roles pharmacy teams play in your care, along with a closer look at the pharmacy services offered by Mount Carmel.

The Role of Pharmacy Teams in Patient Care

Pharmacy teams consist of more than just pharmacists—they are a collective of professionals who contribute to the safe and effective management of medications:

1. Patient Care Pharmacists

These medication experts work directly with doctors and nurses to ensure the safety and efficacy of treatment plans. Patient care pharmacists monitor for drug interactions, adjust therapies when needed, and are vital participants in clinical programs such as Antimicrobial Stewardship, which promotes appropriate use of antibiotics to combat resistance.

2. Certified Pharmacy Technicians

Pharmacy technicians are essential in preparing and dispensing medications, managing inventory, and ensuring prescriptions are filled accurately. They often handle bedside medication delivery, providing convenience for patients by bringing prescriptions directly to them during their hospital stay.

3. Pharmacy Interns

As part of their training, pharmacy interns work under the supervision of licensed pharmacists, gaining hands-on experience in dispensing medications, patient education, and conducting medication histories.

4. Medication Historians

Medication historians collect and verify a patient’s current medication list upon admission to the hospital. This ensures that healthcare providers have a complete picture of the patient’s medication regimen, which helps prevent interactions or dosing errors.

Each of these roles is crucial to providing comprehensive, safe, and patient-focused medication management.

Mount Carmel Pharmacy Services: Comprehensive Care for Every Need

Mount Carmel Pharmacy Services are dedicated to providing compassionate, high-quality medication care across multiple settings. Here's a look at the key departments and services available:

1. Mount Carmel Pharmacy

This pharmacy offers bedside prescription delivery and refill services for patients, colleagues, and community members at our main pharmacy or pickup locations across the health system. In addition, they provide a wide range of medication services, including prescription support programs, vaccines, and over-the-counter medications. This ensures that patients have easy access to necessary medications and support during their recovery or ongoing treatment.

2. Inpatient Hospital Pharmacy

The hospital pharmacies at Mount Carmel operate around the clock, providing 24-hour services during a patient’s hospital stay or emergency department visit. They offer clinical oversight and participate in multidisciplinary rounds to ensure that all aspects of a patient’s medication therapy are optimized. Specialized programs such as Nutrition Support and Antimicrobial Stewardship are also part of inpatient care.

3. Pharmacy Outpatient Care Centers

These outpatient centers are staffed by pharmacists with specialized training in managing medications related to chronic conditions such as hypertension, anticoagulation, diabetes, and more. They offer referral-based services that help patients effectively manage their conditions after they leave the hospital, providing a seamless transition from inpatient to outpatient care.

4. Population Health Pharmacy

Population Health pharmacists focus on transitions of care by reviewing discharge orders, ensuring the affordability of medications, providing patient education, and conducting follow-ups. They also support providers in meeting healthcare quality standards (HEDIS metrics) and are integrated into ambulatory clinics to help ensure that patients adhere to evidence-based medications.

5. Pharmacy Residency Programs

Mount Carmel offers ASHP-accredited PGY-1 pharmacy residency programs at its East and Grove City hospital locations. These programs give residents exposure to all areas of pharmacy practice, allowing them to gain hands-on experience in both clinical and patient-care settings.

Through a wide range of services and departments, Mount Carmel Pharmacy Services delivers comprehensive, patient-centered medication care to meet the needs of individuals across the healthcare spectrum. From bedside delivery to outpatient care, their pharmacy teams are committed to helping patients manage their health with compassion and expertise.

For more information on the services offered by the Mount Carmel Pharmacy Department, please visit: Pharmacy Services.