A study in performance, opportunity, and development.
Today's health systems leaders recognize that the performance of the pharmacy
department can be a vital element in the success of a health system and the
health of its patients. The high cost of medications and drug-related technology,
combined with the potential impact of medications and pharmacy services on
patient-care outcomes and patient safety, make it imperative that pharmacy
departments perform at the highest level possible.
The characteristics that define "high performance" in hospital and health-system
pharmacy, however, have not been well described or agreed upon. A critical step
in raising the level of performance in this setting is to articulate those
characteristics and provide guidance for achieving higher standards.
Based on an extensive literature review and the collective experience of the
Health Systems Pharmacy Executive Alliance, the High Performance PharmacySM
study identifies the core best practices that define hospital pharmacy high
performance. This landmark study captures and categorizes these pharmacy best practices
so that health system executives and pharmacy leaders can easily use them to
improve their clinical outcomes and financial results.
The study identifies 8 key dimensions of high performance:
1. Leadership
2. Medication preparation and delivery
3. Patient care services
4. Medication safety
5. Medication use policy
6. Financial performance
7. Human Resources management
8. Education
Under these 8 dimensions, the study identifies over 70 elements of high performance,
referencing published literature to support each element. The study estimates the
level of effort required to implement each element and the expected impact on
quality, safety, and financial performance.
With clear, concrete descriptions of performance-building practices and
processes, this study is the basis for the High Performance Pharmacy and
serves as a roadmap for hospital executives and pharmacy leaders to identify
areas of opportunity and improvement.
