ASHP Leadership Agenda Item
Promote pharmacists as the health care professional that is accountable for the medication-therapy outcomes of patients.
Background
Pharmacists are intimately involved in health-system initiatives such as Anticoagulation Management, Antibiotic Stewardship, and Pandemic Influenza Preparedness. It is important that students are aware of these initiatives as they enter practice, as they will be come quickly responsible for taking ownership over these responsibilities during residency and in their practices at their respective institutions.
To bring awareness to the important issue of professionalism and accountability, SSHPs are encouraged to design and implement projects promoting the importance of medication management and the pharmacist’s accountability for related outcomes.
Objectives
- To demonstrate the vital role of health-system pharmacists and pharmacy students in the medication management of disease states and patient safety;
- To provide health-system specific education to the local community and improve patient participation in care; and
- To educate health care workers and the community about the importance of preventive measures and medication compliance in disease state management.
SSHP Project Ideas
Antimicrobial Stewardship
- Provide education to students and the public regarding the various types of antibiotic treatment in a health fair of lecture format;
- Participate with local hospitals/health systems and/or state affiliates to participate in initiatives regarding antimicrobial stewardship;
- Partner with local hospitals/health systems to provide antibiotic education and start a shadowing/mentoring program; and
- Partner with your state or local affiliate to invite infectious disease pharmacists to hold a stewardship seminar series during Antibiotic Awareness Week (mid-November).
Anticoagulation Management
- Provide education to students and the public regarding the various types of treatment in a health fair of lecture format;
- Participate with local hospitals/health systems and/or state affiliates to participate in initiatives regarding anticoagulation education; and
- Partner with local hospitals/health systems to provide anticoagulation education and start a shadowing/mentoring program at local anticoagulation clinics.
Influenza Immunization Initiative
- Educate students and healthcare workers about the importance of influenza immunization;
- Pass out college campus or local community influenza immunization schedules;
- Review the CDC and HHS information of Healthcare Worker Influenza Prevention;
- Invite local practitioners to participate in a panel or roundtable discussion regarding healthcare worker immunization and the impact on patient safety; and
- Partner with local hospitals/health systems and/or state affiliates to participate in initiatives involving healthcare worker influenza immunization during National Influenza Vaccine Week.
Resources
Antimicrobial Stewardship
Anticoagulation
ASHP Anticoagulation Resources
Influenza
