Written Communication Assessment in Pharmacology - Essay Example

Written Communication Assessment Part I Pharmacy Forum The forum was able to provide a picture about the different pharmaceutical organizations in Australia that we, as future pharmacists may be members of. The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) is considered to be the “national professional organization for pharmacists in Australia” (“Representing the Profession of Pharmacy”). It was founded in 1977 by the state pharmaceutical societies. These founding societies have been around for more than 100 years. Through the PSA, the pharmacy profession had a national identity and a chance to organize its activities, to coordinate consultation and collaboration with the Commonwealth Government and other health professionals and industries. PSA is considered to be the leading supporter of pharmacists’ rights. It helps influence the attitudes and policies of the government and society through networking, continuing education, coordination, and health promotion activities. The Consumers Health Forum (CHF) speaks in behalf of the health consumers. It is an independent non-governmental organization which helps fashion Australia’s health care system by encouraging the consumers to participate in establishing health policies. The CHF gathers data, opinions, and complaints from the people and brings them to the attention of concerned government officials. Through their actions, government officials can make the necessary adjustments in policies for the good of the public. According to CHF, the general public should be given affordable, safe and quality medicines and health services. They also believe that consumers should have a chance to be involved in the management of their health care. Consumers should also be given access to vital health information in ways they can easily understand. The CHF prioritizes the safety and quality of health care services especially for patients with chronic conditions. The organization members come from different community and health sectors, including illness-based groups, population groups and other health-interest groups. (“Our CHF – Who are we?”). Through these various members, they give a voice to the consumer public. In 1928, the Pharmacy Guild of Australia was established. It successfully bonded together a number of pharmacy organizations from various States. It is registered as an employees’ organization and it has about 4500 member pharmacists throughout Australia. The Guild functions as a single entity, not a federation. The Guild involves itself in several areas of health care such as health economics, quality care pharmacy, workplace relations, community pharmacy practice, finance and administration, among others. On a daily basis, it deals with “industrial relations, marketing, staff training, and product and economic information” (“About the Pharmacy Guild of Australia”). The Guild also coordinates with the government, with manufacturers, with wholesalers, and with other organizations involved in the health care delivery system. The Australian Association of Consultant Pharmacy (AACP) was established in order to guarantee the quality use of medicines by implementing accreditation for professional pharmacy services, and getting recognition for these services. This organization primarily aims to develop and enforce accreditation procedures for pharmacists who would like to provide professional services, who wish to give access to professional training needed in order to identify and develop new services (“What is the AACP?”). The importance of the Pharmacy Defence League, Ltd. (PDL) is varied. They provide support to their fellow pharmacists when incidents occur. They also provide legal representation when needed by members. The organization also provides financial support for their members in order to help provide quality service to the public. The PDL also supports continuing education, training, research, and special projects of its members. Their contribution to the health care service in Australia is also seen by serving in an advisory capacity to the national and state pharmacy bodies, especially in the packaging and labeling of products (“What does PDL do?”). The Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia (SHPA) is the professional organization of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in Australia. The SHPA is committed towards making sure that the Australian consumers get safe and quality medicines. The SHPA has a strong hospital-based membership. It also specializes in representing the professional interests of hospital pharmacists and technicians, and in delivering professional services to the entire health care system. The SHPA recognizes the efforts and the cooperation of their volunteer members in ensuring that quality health care services are delivered on a national and local scale (“About SHPA”). The forum represented various members from the organizations mentioned above. The Pharmacy Guild was represented by Ken Cox, the Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia by Andrew Mattieus, the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia by Lyn Todd, the Australian Association of Consultant Pharmacists by Sarah Gillespie, the Health Care Consumers Association by Jane Graham. A case was presented and each organization was able to express their roles in the situation. Through this interaction, a better understanding of the role of each organization in the pharmacy profession in Australia was established. There are different aspects of the pharmacy profession-from the technical to the ethical to the legal. And the different organizations were able to present that these aspects of the practice are being adequately addressed by each organization. The forum discussed the important contributions that the pharmacy profession plays in the Australian Health Care system. It discussed how each organization plays varied, yet very important roles in delivering quality health care to the consumers. They also discussed that with the coordinated efforts and collaboration with the government and with other organizations, better policies and better services are being ensured in the hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, and other healthcare institutions. The forum also set forth the degree of competence and professionalism that the pharmacy profession maintains and sets for their present and future members. The forum also assured prospective members of the assistance and protection that the organization can provide for their members. The feeling of well-being and support in the pharmacy community and profession was seen among the attending participants of the forum. The participants were able to assess from the forum that the pharmacy profession is a big and supportive community that can expect quality health services from its members. The forum gave the participants a glimpse of the networking, coordination, and collaboration needed in order to deliver quality health services to the consumer public. Part II. Occupational Health and Safety An occupational health and safety issue in the pharmacy profession may be seen when dealing with heroin drug abusers under the methadone program. The methadone program is one of the methods being adapted to treat heroin drug dependence. Methadone mimics the effects of heroin on the user while slowly weaning the drug user from his heroin addiction. In dispensing methadone to the heroin user, the pharmacist must comply with the same requirements in dispensing regulated drugs. This medicine should be dispensed only with properly filled scripts. The proper dosages must be checked by the pharmacist to ensure that current scripts and dosages are not repeated. There are also other procedures to be followed before methadone is to be dispensed to the customer. Dispensing pharmacists and clinics must upgrade their security, use drop folders, staple prescriptions onto medications until dispensing is completed, use cordial formulation for syrup dilution, develop skills in handling aggressive clients, and recognize intoxicated clients (Drugs and Alcohol Services Council and the Public Environmental Service of the SA Health Commission). Special training is not required to be able to dispense of methadone, however, pharmacists may be required to receive training in understanding the contents of the methadone treatment program. The pharmacist has the responsibility of properly storing and securing methadone, to check patient’s identity, to check the dosage in the script, not to allow take away doses unless he is convinced that such practice is safe, assess whether or not the patient is intoxicated, keep in regular contact with the prescriber regarding the patient’s progress or lack of progress in the treatment program, double check emergency and phone-in instructions in order to prevent errors in administration, and maintain patient confidentiality. It is recommended that the pharmacist sign a contract or agreement with the patient before agreeing to be the dispenser. This will help determine the pharmacist’s fees and to ensure that utmost confidentiality and discretion is provided for the patient. The pharmacist however still retains the right to refuse dispensation of methadone. These instances may be seen where there is a potential for drug abuse, in cases of doubt in the identity of the patient, or in instances of intoxication. In order to avoid fatal consequences to the client from dangerous drug interactions, the pharmacist should be very perceptive in dispensing methadone to clients. In cases of intoxication, the pharmacist should advise the client to go to the hospital, or to consult first their prescriber, or to return later in the day. If the client is still intoxicated, the dose must be missed altogether. The prescriber must be informed of this missed dose immediately. The pharmacist must also inform the prescriber if the client appears intoxicated for two or more consecutive visits. (Drugs and Alcohol Services Council and the Public Environmental Service of the SA Health Commission) In instances when patients under the methadone program have missed their dosages, there may be a danger of aggressive behavior from the client. In these cases, the pharmacist must learn to guard against this situation and protect himself from aggressive clients. The first step in avoiding aggression from clients is to build a good relationship with them. By being client-centered at all times, it is possible to lessen the aggressive behavior and easily resolve the situation. In dealing with aggressive patients, try to distinguish between hostilities directed at a personal level and hostilities due to frustration. (Drugs and Alcohol Services Council and the Public Environmental Service of the SA Health Commission) Some clients often find it difficult to cope with the everyday pressures of life and sometimes act out their frustrations through aggressive behavior. In these instances, try accompanying the client to a quiet, less threatening area. During these times, try to sense the patient’s body language in order to safely resolve the situation. Difficult situations must not be resolved when the patient is in a hostile or stressed mood. This may bring more harm than good to the client. The next time the patient appears, try to speak with him about his unacceptable behavior. (Drugs and Alcohol Services Council and the Public Environmental Service of the SA Health Commission) More serious and repeated incidents of aggressive behavior should be reported to the prescribing physician or counselor. The pharmacist is under no obligation to tolerate unacceptable behavior from clients. However, in instances where the pharmacist is faced with aggressive and hostile clients, he should always remain calm and composed. Panicking and aggressive behavior in dealing with such clients will not help resolve the situation. And for patients who already have a history of aggressive behavior, especially in instances of missed dosages in medicines, the pharmacist should bring along security detail to help deal with the situation. The security in this instance should not act in a manner that would aggravate the patient’s already hostile behavior; however, he should stand-by and assist the pharmacist in case the patient becomes aggressive. This will help keep the pharmacist and the patient safe (Drugs and Alcohol Services Council and the Public Environmental Service of the SA Health Commission). Dry Cough What is Dry Cough? Cough without phlegm or mucus Also known as hacking cough Causes Virus Throat Irritation Colds Flu Dry weather Air pollution Change in temperature Allergies What happens when you have dry cough? Cough is dry, no mucus Irritating to the throat Can cause a tickly throat Can cause headache Call the doctor if… You cough up blood or mucus Have hard time breathing Coughing is mostly at night Chest pain You have fever with the cough You smoke cigarette You lost weight Coughing is more than 10 days You have high blood pressure or heart problem What do you do to stop the dry cough? Avoid dry places Drink plenty of water Take warm bath to keep throat wet and moist Drink tea mixed with lemon and honey Chew peppermint candy Drink cough suppressants as prescribed by the doctor Call doctor or pharmacist if you have questions Rest and avoid polluted places How do you avoid dry cough? Avoid dry and polluted places Keep throat moist by drinking plenty of water Reduce or stop smoking Get a humidifier and turn it on when you sleep Know and avoid your allergies Eat fruits and vegetables to stay healthy Exercise Visit your doctor at least once a year What are cough suppressants? Are medicines that prevent or stop coughing They relieve dry and hacking cough caused by flu or colds Not used for cough with mucus or phlegm What is Dextromethorphan? Safe and commonly used cough suppressant May be in liquid form, capsules, tablets, and lozenges Dextromethorphan lozenges-not used for children less than 12 years old Not used for asthma, not used for cough with mucus Take only as directed by doctor Side-effects-may make you dizzy and drowsy. Side-effects-may cause stomach upset What do you do when you get dizzy, drowsy or have stomach upset after taking Dextromethorphan? Stop taking cough suppressant and Call your doctor Works Cited “About SHPA” 7 March 2008. Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia. 20 October 2008 “About The Pharmacy Guild of Australia” (n.d). Pharmacy Guild of Australia. 19 October 2008 “Cough: Dry Cough” (7 December 2007). MyDr.com 29 October 2008 “Cough Suppressants”. (2008). Answers.com. 29 October 2008. Drugs and Alcohol Services Council and the Public & Environmental Health Service of the SA Health Commission (1994) Pharmacists Handbook on the Policy and Procedures of the Methadone Program. Health Library. 20 October 2008 “How to prevent cough or dry cough?” (2008). DSQnA.com. 28 October 2008 “How to Stop a Dry Cough”. (n.d). A 2 Z of Health, Beauty and Fitness. 29 October 2008 Isaacson, J., et.al. (n.d.) Communicating with Your Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Patients. Pharmacy Times. 20 October 2008 Leahy, D. (n.d) Pharmacy Guild of Australia 20 October 2008 “Our CHF – Who are we?” 2007. Consumer Health Foundation of Australia. 20 October 2008 “Prioritize Safety, Employers Told” (6 October 2008) Pharmacy Choice. 20 October 2008 “Representing the Profession of Pharmacy” (n.d.) Pharmaceutical Society of Australia. 20 October 2008 “What does PDL do?” 2008. Pharmaceutical Defence Ltd. 20 October 2008 “What is the AACP” (n.d). Australian Association of Consultant Pharmacy. 20 October 2008       Read More