Pharmacists' knowledge of infusion devices.
Results of a mail survey of pharmacists' knowledge of infusion-device technology are presented. In order to develop recommendations on how to prepare pharmacists to take responsible roles in the use of infusion devices, a survey was mailed to 576 directors of pharmacy in hospitals and home health-care companies, deans of pharmacy schools, and executives of state pharmaceutical associations. A total of 237 responses (41.2%) was received. Directors in both hospital and home health-care settings predicted increases in the use of infusion devices in their respective settings within the coming five years. Practitioners and deans concurred that pharmacy schools are not providing adequate instruction in the use of these devices. All four groups of respondents believed that the competencies most essential in the use of these devices are knowledge of therapeutic applications and the ability to select the most appropriate pump to meet clinical needs. Use of drug-infusion technology will increase in the coming five years, and undergraduate, postgraduate, and inservice pharmacy curricula must prepare pharmacists to use it appropriately.
Kwan
J W
JW
Pharmacy Alternate Delivery Programs, Texas Medical Center, Houston 77030.
Anderson
R W
RW
D006699:Home Care Services; D006764:Hospitals, Community; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous / Q000295:instrumentation*; D010361:Patients; D010595:Pharmacists; D010607:Pharmacy Service, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration