Title 27. COMPUTER APPLICATIONS IN PHARMACY.pdf ✅

PHARMD GURU Page 1 PATTERNS OF COMPUTER USE IN HOSPITAL PHARMACY: a) COMPUTER SYSTEM IN HOSPITAL PHARMACY: In the present scenario, the computer has become a very common tool in all areas of sciences. Every day, developments in computer technology and manufacturing are providing competition in the field of computers, which decreases the price of computer-related items. This has resulted in the development of a number of computer applications. COMPUTERS IN PHARMACY ARE USED FOR:  Drug data and records management  Business details and operations  Drug manufacturing and analysis The pharmacy field plays a crucial role in patient healthcare. The field of pharmacy is awfully benefitted by the use of computers, getting and comparing the information to measure an accurate study. In the field of operations like new drug discovery, drug design analysis, and manufacturing of drugs, and in hospital pharmacy, computers are widely used. The field of pharmacy has immensely benefited from the use of computer technology and will continue to benefit as pharmacists gain more familiarity with current and updated computer technology. These days, computers are a very necessary part of pharmacy. Many sub-departments of pharmacy use computers for:  New drug discovery  Drug design and structure analysis  Manufacturing of drugs  Management of hospital pharmacy Computers also help pharmacists collaborate with other professionals in the research field. b) USE OF COMPUTERS IN HOSPITAL PHARMACY: a) Diagnostic System – Used to collect numerical data and identify the cause of COMPUTER APPLICATIONS IN PHARMACY

PHARMD GURU Page 3 MEDICATION ORDERS ENTRY: Prescription processing is one of the main activities in a pharmacy. Computers enhance reliability and efficiency in this process. 1) MEDICATION ORDER MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (MOMS): An electronic based tracking tool that:  Automates order processing and tracking.  Ensures hospital pharmacies maintain safety standards.  Reduces errors in prescription handling. 2) BENEFITS OF COMPUTERIZED MEDICATION ORDER SYSTEMS:  Improves productivity, quality, and nurse satisfaction.  Enhances operational efficiency and patient safety. 3) STEPS IN MEDICATION ORDER PROCESSING: a) Ordering – The clinician selects the appropriate medication, dose, and frequency. b) Transcribing – If handwritten, prescriptions must be accurately interpreted. c) Dispensing – The pharmacist verifies drug interactions and allergies before dispensing. d) Administration – Medication is provided to the patient at the correct dosage and time. 4) CLINICAL DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEMS (CDSS): Medication Order Systems often integrate CDSS, which:  Suggests default values for drug doses and administration routes  Checks for drug-drug interactions and allergies  Prevents medication errors A CDSS can also detect high-risk prescriptions (e.g., preventing nephrotoxic drugs in a patient with elevated creatinine levels).
PHARMD GURU Page 4 DRUG LABELS AND LIST: a) DRUG LABELS: Computerized Medication Order Management Systems allow prescribers to create a structured sig while also offering two additional fields:  Special Instructions – Transmitted to the pharmacy for label printing (e.g., "Do not drive while taking" or "Avoid sun exposure").  Comments – Sometimes contradict the sig (e.g., "Once daily" but with a comment saying "Take two times a day on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday"), leading to confusion, delays, and labeling errors. b) DRUG LISTS: Some Medication Order Management Systems list drugs alphabetically. Most systems allow:  Browsing (picking a drug from a list).  Searching (entering a drug name manually). Auto-Complete Feature: Predicts what the user is typing and includes:  Auto-Suggest – Provides suggestions while typing.  Auto-Fill – Completes the drug name based on common searches. INTRAVENOUS SOLUTION AND ADMIXTURE:  Barcode Verification Technology combined with Electronic Medication Administration Records (eMAR) is used to reduce medication administration errors.  eMAR System Benefits:  Electronically receives patient profiles from the pharmacy system.  Reduces transcription errors (no need for manual order entry).  Ensures real-time verification at the bedside using barcode/eMAR scanning.  By using computerized systems, intravenous (IV) solutions and admixtures can be prescribed and administered accurately and safely.  Smart Pumps integrated into medication systems further improve safety by ensuring accurate IV medication administration.