IS THERE A NEED FOR IMPROVED PHARMACY SERVICES TO THE OPERATING-THEATER

A study to assess the control and handling of drugs within an operatin g theatre complex (10 theatres) of an 850-bed hospital, has revealed t he presence of unusable medication and thus highlighted the need for i mproved pharmacy services. The aims and objectives of the pharmacy dep artment to enhance such services included improvement of drug control of stock medication and the introduction of clinical pharmacy services within the operating theatre. To undertake this, three systems were e valuated with reference to systems already in use in the U.S.A. Operat ing theatre visits by a clinical pharmacist, coupled with the expansio n of the existing drug distribution service, were identified as the mo st cost-effective methods that would allow the objectives to be met. C onsequently, this has now been implemented within the operating theatr e complex.