ASHP finds 80% of Hospitals without 24/7 Pharmacist Coverage, Publishes RMOP Guidelines, Trumpets RMOP Providers

In the upcoming issue, Drug Topics reports on ASHP's Remote Medication Order Processing guidelines published earlier this year. From the aritlce:

I had all of 2 weeks to fill those slots. It was less expensive and faster to utilize a night pharmacy service."

Stomackin signed with Cardinal Health's Rxe-source, then one of the few national RMOP providers. He still uses the service as coverage for third shift and as a resource while Lewistown builds a computerized physician order-entry system that also requires 24-hour pharmacy support 7 days a week.

Lewistown Hospital is not unusual. The latest ASHP survey found that nearly 80% of hospitals nationwide lack pharmacy coverage at some point during a typical week. The widespread lack of 24/7 coverage combined with mandates to enhance hospital technology are fueling a surge of interest in remote pharmacy management. Community pharmacy is grappling with similar issues as telepharmacy replaces pharmacists in small-town and rural healthcare settings.

ASHP's RMOP Guidelines can be found here (PDF).