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prepackaged unit doses. Pharmacy items are dispensed only on the
order of a physician.
When the pharmacy receives an order from the nursing unit,
pharmacy personnel examine the order by (1) reviewing any
medications that the patient is already taking and any condition
of the patient that may affect what medications the patient
should be taking and (2) checking in each case for drug
interactions and allergies. The pharmacy then fills the order,
and the medication is dispensed to the nursing unit. The
medication is administered to the patient by a nurse, who records
the procedure on a medication administration record (MAR). At
the end of each day, the pharmacy pulls a copy of the original
dispensing order and compares it to the MAR to verify that all
medications have been administered according to the direction of
the physician. All pharmacy items are prepared and dispensed
under the direction of a licensed pharmacist. The pharmacy
department typically employs several pharmacists as well as a
number of specially trained technicians.
The pharmacy department also adds medications to intravenous
(IV) solutions. Such medications are referred to as
"admixtures." Admixtures for IV solutions are prepared by
pharmacy department personnel under a special hood that filters
air to ensure the sterility of the admixture. These activities
require great care and precision and are usually performed by
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Last modified: May 25, 2011