When your child is in the hospital and the doctor prescribes medication, that order comes to us – Nemours clinical pharmacists. Our job is to make sure the medication we dispense for your child is safe, effective, and delivered in a timely manner, 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.
As an important member of your child’s care team, we provide consultations and information about your child’s drug therapy both to staff members and family. We review prescription orders, and prepare and dispense all types of medications, from oral medications, intravenous chemotherapy drugs, parenteral nutrition mixtures (liquid nutrition for children who are being fed through their IV), and other special compounds. As leaders in our field, we also train future pediatric pharmacists through our highly regarded pharmacy residency program.
We do all of this with an impeccable commitment to safety. For one thing, we have advanced training and specialize in a variety of pediatric disciplines, including Cancer Care, Nutritional Support, Critical Care, General Pediatrics, Outpatient Care, and Anesthesia. That means we have special experience and expertise working with the dosages and particular medications that are best for children.
Second, we utilize the most up-to-date drug information systems, which provide us with a wealth of drug data at a glance and alert us to any potential cross-reactions among your child’s prescribed drugs. We also use the latest medical technology at the bedside, including a computerized physician order entry system and a patient verification system with medication bar coding. This allows staff to double check your child’s medication against his or her hospital ID bracelet at the point of administration. These measures help to ensure that your child receives the most accurate pharmacological care possible.
Inpatient Care
The pharmacy serves the needs of hospitalized children by:
- making daily rounds with doctors in the intensive care unit, neonatal intensive care unit, cardiac units, solid organ transplant service, blood and bone marrow transplant unit, general pediatrics, rehabilitation, and hematology/oncology. This direct involvement allows us to help better monitor your child’s drug therapy.
- providing detailed drug information to all staff members
- reviewing, double checking, and dispensing all medications ordered for inpatients and many that are ordered for the Emergency Department
- providing educational programs to parents and health care professionals that promote wellness and disease prevention
- supporting the hospital’s ongoing research programs and clinical drug trials
Outpatient Pharmacy
In addition to its inpatient services, the hospital also maintains an outpatient pharmacy that fills prescriptions and stocks basic over-the-counter products such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin), and diphenhydramine (Benadryl). To use this service, you’ll need to present the doctor’s written or electronic prescription along with your prescription plan card. The pharmacy is open Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.