Evolving to provide pharmaceutical care without additional resources in a university hospital.

Our department is committed to a process of continuous quality improvement focusing on delivering the best possible pharmaceutical care services. Three committees, each with representation from pharmacists and pharmacy technicians from all areas of the department, were convened in 1991 to 1992 to further identify areas for service enhancement and to plan for the future. Based on the recommendations of these committees, further expansion in ambulatory services is a priority. Other changes will include further automation of the drug-distribution system, examination of the role of the pharmacy technician, development of an automated patient-care system with direct physician order entry, computerized documentation of clinical interventions, and reaffirmation of the role of the pharmacist as the professional responsible for proper use of medications at UMHC.