Craig Kimble, PharmD, MBA, MS, BCACP

Innovations are expanding opportunities for care.

Clinical trials are using AI to handle large and complex volumes of data to develop oncology, cardiovascular, and neurologic compounds and to integrate molecular and imaging data.

In January 2024, Florida became the only state to allow the importation of medications for public use.

Safe handling of hazardous drugs plays a vital role in patient care.

AI systems can detect minute anomalies often missed by the human eye, reducing false negatives.

AI is able to quickly analyze, identify, and route data for investigation.

Drug shortages have led to increased use of compounding pharmacy.

When considering outsourcing, pharmacies should use a multistakeholder team to weigh pros and cons.

When choosing an appropriate system, pharmacists must consider all data, as not all CSTDs are equally effective.

Pharmacies should ensure appropriate monitoring procedures are in place to prevent contamination and exposure.

Technology gains traction in health-system pharmacies for drug inventory and to automate applications.

Eliminating paper prescriptions allows for greater legibility, security, trackability for pharmacists and providers.

Eliminating paper prescriptions allows for greater legibility, security, trackability for pharmacists, providers.

Building a team to support best practices, medication safety, and staff education can reduce risks.

Building a team to support best practices, medication safety, and staff education will reduce risks.

Simplifying processes reduces errors in compounding, IV pump programming, and physician order entry.

Simplifying processes reduces errors in compounding, IV pump programming, and physician order entry.

How ADCs are used at an institution can greatly affect the potential for a drug error to occur incident.

Pharmacists should stay abreast of changes in formulations and recommendations, foster communication with their staff, and plan proactively.

Addressing barriers such as cognitive impairment, cultural issues, and denial can help patients avoid adverse effects.

Pharmacy health-system managers should understand the key components of the drug quality and security act.

Institute for Safe Medication Practices advocates technology solutions, such as barcode scanning of ingredients

Digital tools can help pharmacists and other health care providers ensure effective and safe drug use.

Thoughtful application can reduce resistance and improve overall operations, if consistent steps are followed.

Maintain vigilance to decrease chance of adverse effects, problems with storage and compliance of hazardous drugs.

Proposed CMS changes could hurt many health systems that are already struggling due to COVID-19 pandemic.

Check out these pre- and postimplementation checklists, which also help to justify the investment.

Check out these pre- and postimplementation checklists, which also help to justify the investment.