The Integration of a Pharmacist on the Anesthesiology Team in the Operating Room

A new role has been defined for a pharmacist at the Operating Rooms in our hospital, Tel Aviv medical center. So far all medication supply has been conducted by nurses assigned for this matter at the guidance of the management of the O.R. Due to this new role, changes have been done in every aspect of the drug management and control. Quality assurance and regulatory issues have been introduced as the pharmacist point of view has now been taken under consideration. The pharmacist at the O.R as well as in every other ward is serving as a bridge between the ward and the hospital pharmacy.

At the last year, I was privileged to conduct the medications control, working in tight collaboration and guidance of the O.R management and personal. Dozens of interventions, in every aspect of the pharmacy profession, have been done. These interventions have been categorized into different categories. All share in common one main goal, to assure patient safety.

As the control has been more efficient than before, even economic improvement and saving has been accomplished. Constant improvement is achieved, comparing to what was possible before. This mission emphasizes the importance of integrating a pharmacist, on a multi professional team in anesthesiology. Facing the tremendous mass of drugs, daily consumed at the O.R, a challenge only a team can handle. As standard of care evolve the diversity of drugs is further expected to change and to become a future task to all.