Pharmacy Services at The Children’s Hospital

Pharmacist Involvement in Patient Care

The Department of Pharmacy provides comprehensive clinical services to patients at The Children’s Hospital. Our pharmaceutical care extends beyond drug procurement and dispensing. We have organized clinical pharmacy services that compliment the team approach to providing care.

Clinical pediatric pharmacists are available 24 hours a day and help ensure safe and effective use of medication in children  - as well as promote health, wellness and disease prevention. Our specially-trained pharmacists work with physicians and other healthcare professionals to determine the best medication regimen and monitoring plan for your child.

Clinical pharmacy services are integrated into virtually all inpatient care units as designated pharmacists round with the medical teams on the day and evening shift. Through this direct involvement, pharmacists are empowered to assist in a great deal of therapeutic decision making and therapeutic drug monitoring activities. This is often a proactive responsibility. The Children’s Hospital pharmacists review drug orders and serve as a double-check regarding safety, therapeutic indication, the selection of reasonable drug therapy, and monitoring endpoints for therapy.

Pharmacists provide an extensive amount of drug information to practitioners and families. Pharmacokinetic consultations are routinely performed by pharmacists and are documented in the patient medical record.

Training and Research

The Department of Pharmacy has one of the largest pediatric pharmacy residency programs in the nation. Every year, four pharmacy residents are employed and trained by The Children's Hospital. The clinical pharmacists, along with the residents, lead original research. Annually, a minimum of four research projects are completed involving medication therapy in children. The pharmacists provide education to the medical staff, nursing staff, pharmacy students, and outside groups. Pharmacy staff members participate in interdisciplinary committees such as Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee, Safe Medication Practices Committee, COR and Sedation Committee, and Asthma Committee, among others.

The Department of Pharmacy runs a comprehensive investigational drug service. A full-time Investigational Drug Pharmacist is responsible for reviewing and approving drug research protocols as a member of the IRB/COMIRB. This pharmacist works closely with medical researchers, protocol sponsors, and The Children's Hospital Research Institute.

On-Site Pharmacy Services

The Children’s Hospital has a Walgreen's Pharmacy  located on the first floor of the hospital near the Fresh Market Place.