🏥

Institutional Pharmacies Overview

Sep 16, 2025

Overview

This lecture covers the different types of institutional pharmacies, their specific roles, and the specialized services they provide in various healthcare settings.

Types of Institutional Pharmacies

  • Institutional pharmacies are found in hospitals, long-term care facilities, hospices, and correctional institutions.
  • These pharmacies serve diverse patient populations with unique healthcare needs.

Core Services Provided

  • Provide 24/7 medication services to ensure timely patient care.
  • Offer patient counseling on proper medication use for better health management.
  • Supply drug information to healthcare providers to support informed clinical decisions.

Specialized Care in Different Settings

  • In hospitals, pharmacists ensure immediate access to medications and support clinical teams.
  • Long-term care pharmacists conduct regular drug therapy reviews to optimize residents' treatment plans.
  • Hospice pharmacies focus on compassionate palliative care to ensure comfort for terminally ill patients.
  • Correctional facility pharmacists manage pharmaceutical services for incarcerated individuals, supporting their health needs.

Key Terms & Definitions

  • Institutional Pharmacy — A pharmacy serving a healthcare facility, such as a hospital, long-term care facility, hospice, or correctional institution.
  • Drug Therapy Review — Evaluation of a patient’s medication plan to improve treatment effectiveness and safety.
  • Palliative Care — Care focused on relief from symptoms and stress of serious illness, often in hospice settings.

Action Items / Next Steps

  • Review the functions of each type of institutional pharmacy.
  • Prepare to discuss case examples of pharmacy services in different facilities.