Pharmacy Assessment System

Summary

The Pharmacy Assessment System is a practical tool that pharmacists must complete every six months to ensure compliance with quality management and improve patient safety. The system involves reviewing key pharmacy practices, assessing compliance levels, and developing action plans for improvement. It supports continuous improvement in pharmacy operations and helps reduce inspection times for pharmacies that demonstrate ongoing compliance. The system covers six key areas, with an additional section for pharmacies serving nursing homes. Detailed guidance, templates, and resources are provided to assist pharmacists in completing assessments and action plans effectively.

Takeaways

• 💊 The Pharmacy Assessment System is a practical tool for pharmacists to review management and must be completed every six months by the supervising pharmacist.
• 📋 The assessment must be approved by the superintendent and pharmacy owner to ensure control over pharmacy management.
• 🔍 The system helps critically review pharmacy practices, highlighting good practices and areas needing improvement, with the aim of promoting patient safety.
• ✅ During inspections starting in 2017, PSI inspectors will verify completed assessments and review action plans to ensure compliance and quality management.
• 📈 Pharmacies actively completing assessments and implementing action plans are likely to receive shorter inspections in the future.
• 🧑‍⚕️ The system is divided into six sections, with the first five mandatory for all pharmacies. The sixth section applies to pharmacies that supply nursing homes or residential care settings.
• 📝 Each section of the system contains a review, compliance assessment, and action plan to address issues and improve practices.
• 🔬 The review process includes practical activities like observing the sale of non-prescription medicines and recording interactions between patients and pharmacy staff.
• 📊 Compliance is assessed across four levels, guiding pharmacists to determine their pharmacy’s compliance status.
• 🛠️ Action plans are documented, with assigned responsibilities and timelines, following the SMART technique: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Timely.

Q & A

What is the Pharmacy Assessment System, and how often must it be completed?

The Pharmacy Assessment System is a practical assessment tool designed to be completed every six months by the supervising pharmacist and approved by the superintendent and pharmacy owner.

What is the purpose of the Pharmacy Assessment System?

The purpose of the system is to support quality management in pharmacies, promote patient safety, and help the supervising pharmacist demonstrate control over the management and administration of the pharmacy.

How do PSI inspectors verify the use of the Pharmacy Assessment System?

During inspections, PSI inspectors verify that the assessments are completed and will review action plans that have been developed based on the assessment.

What are the six assessment sections in the Pharmacy Assessment System, and when should they be completed?

There are six assessment sections, with the first five required to be completed by all pharmacies. Section 6 is only required if the pharmacy supplies medications to patients in a nursing home or another type of residential care setting.

What are the three parts of each assessment section?

Each section contains a review of a specific area of pharmacy practice, an assessment of the pharmacy’s compliance in that area, and the development of an action plan to address any issues found.

How does the review process in the Pharmacy Assessment System work?

The review process involves practical audit activities and questions that help the supervising pharmacist identify good practices and areas where improvements are needed. The review covers various aspects of pharmacy practice based on relevant legislation and PSI guidelines.

What are the four levels of compliance outlined in the Pharmacy Assessment System?

The system outlines four levels of compliance, which guide the supervising pharmacist in determining the compliance level of the pharmacy based on the review of specific practices.

What should be included in the action plan after completing the review and compliance assessment?

The action plan should document the steps to be taken to achieve compliance or make improvements, the person responsible for each action, and the target date for completion. The supervising pharmacist must sign off on each action plan.

How can the SMART technique be used in the action plan, and what does it stand for?

The SMART technique helps ensure that the actions in the plan are effective. SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Timely, which are criteria used to create clear and achievable actions.

How can pharmacies access additional resources to complete the Pharmacy Assessment System?

Pharmacies can access a detailed guide, frequently asked questions, and examples on how to fill out the assessment on the PSI website. An editable electronic PDF is also available for use.