RESUMEN
PURPOSE: The implementation of a Web-based tool for pharmacy resident application submission and management in a teaching-affiliated institution is described. SUMMARY: To improve and increase the efficiency of its residency application submission and management process, pharmacy leadership at the University of Michigan abandoned the traditional paper-based process for selecting and communicating with residency candidates for an onsite interview. CTools, a customized version of the open-source Sakai learning content management system, was used to construct the pharmacy residency application and evaluation site. At its core, Sakai is a framework that allows a community of educators and programmers to develop tools that aid in the management, delivery, and communication related to learning and collaboration. The CTools site for residency recruitment was configured to allow candidates, including those not affiliated with the university, to request access to the application site and to create an account. In addition, the site allows preceptors and the residency advisory committee (RAC) members to review submitted application materials. The CTools site uses three basic learning management system (LMS) modules: announcements, assignments, and resources. The announcements module provides an easy way to distribute information to the candidates. The assignment module is a secure area where candidate application materials are compiled into folders and made available to those staff members who need to review the application. The resources module is a repository of required residency documents and forms. CONCLUSION: An institution transitioned from its traditional manual process to a Web-based tool to collect and share residency application materials in a more streamlined fashion.
Asunto(s)
Educación en Farmacia/organización & administración , Gestión de la Información/métodos , Internet , Internado y Residencia/organización & administración , Humanos , Michigan , Preceptoría , Facultades de Medicina , Programas InformáticosRESUMEN
PURPOSE: The development of a computerized system for protocol management, dispensing, inventory accountability, and billing by the investigational drug service (IDS) of a university health system is described. SUMMARY: After an unsuccessful search for a commercial system that would accommodate the variation among investigational protocols and meet regulatory requirements, the IDS worked with the health-system pharmacy's information technology staff and informatics pharmacists to develop its own system. The informatics pharmacists observed work-flow and information capture in the IDS and identified opportunities for improved efficiency with an automated system. An iterative build-test-design process was used to provide the flexibility needed for individual protocols. The intent was to design a system that would support most IDS processes, using components that would allow automated backup and redundancies. A browser-based system was chosen to allow remote access. Servers, bar-code scanners, and printers were integrated into the final system design. Initial implementation involved 10 investigational protocols chosen on the basis of dispensing volume and complexity of study design. Other protocols were added over a two-year period; all studies whose drugs were dispensed from the IDS were added, followed by those for which the drugs were dispensed from decentralized pharmacy areas. The IDS briefly used temporary staff to free pharmacist and technician time for system implementation. Decentralized pharmacy areas that rarely dispense investigational drugs continue to use manual processes, with subsequent data transcription into the system. Through the university's technology transfer division, the system was licensed by an external company for sale to other IDSs. CONCLUSION: The WebIDS system has improved daily operations, enhanced safety and efficiency, and helped meet regulatory requirements for investigational drugs.
Asunto(s)
Sistemas de Información en Farmacia Clínica , Ensayos Clínicos como Asunto , Sistemas de Computación , Drogas en Investigación , Quimioterapia Asistida por Computador , Hospitales Universitarios , Humanos , Servicio de Farmacia en HospitalRESUMEN
Tablet PCs are portable computers that combine the power of a laptop with an intuitive pendriven interface that have been heavily promoted for vertical industries such as healthcare. The authors describe their experiences with tablet PCs used by clinical pharmacists in a large academic medical center. A slate tablet with a large screen and wireless networking capability was chosen. Tablet PCs were issued to users with a customized 'pen-friendly" clinical application and secure access to the majority of available electronic patient information. In general, the feedback from the pilot users was positive. Users reported increased efficiency on patient care rounds; they say they reduced or eliminated paper notes and shadow charts from their daily routine. However, researchers also observed that some clinical practice workflow models or clinicians did not benefit from or were hindered by the mobile devices. The department plans to expand the use of tablet PCs through desktop replacement and is developing solutions to increase the applicability of tablet PCs for all clinical models and clinicians.