Ts. Portner et al., COMPARISON OF DEPARTMENT-OF-VETERANS-AFFAIRS PHARMACY SERVICES IN 1992 AND 1994 WITH STRATEGIC-PLANNING GOALS, American journal of health-system pharmacy, 53(9), 1996, pp. 1032-1040
Data were collected from Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical c
enter pharmacies in 1992 and 1994 to measure progress toward implement
ation of the VA 1990 strategic plan. A questionnaire was pretested and
mailed to pharmacy chiefs at all 173 VA medical centers (VAMCs) with
pharmacies in 1992. The same questionnaire, with slight modifications
consistent with revision of the strategic plan, was mailed in 1994. Us
able responses were received from more than 80% of VAMCs in both years
. The number and types of activities, services, and staffing at VAMC p
harmacies varied with respect to automation, procurement, drug account
ability, image, participation in professional organizations, professio
nal role, pharmaceutical care activities, technicians, and research an
d education. Compared with the 1992 results, the 1994 results indicate
d greater pharmacist involvement in patient-education activities, expa
nded roles for pharmacists in therapy and in pharmacokinetic services,
and less use of pharmacists for distributive functions. In 1994, more
facilities reported having an open pharmacy concept in place to encou
rage direct patient care initiatives. VAMCs reported greater involveme
nt in pharmacy education in 1994 than in 1992, with more VAMCs having
affiliations with pharmacy schools and clerkship and residency trainin
g programs. Responses indicated considerable variation among VAMC phar
macies in the number and types of services provided.