Blogs

Healthcare provider shortages - the numbers don't add up.

By Dennis Tribble posted 18 days ago
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I viewed an article in Becker's this morning about healthcare provide shortage entitled Healthcare’s broken math: 11 signs the numbers don’t add up . it is an interesting read. The short story appears to be that the upcoming supply of primary care healthcare providers is unlikely to meet demand by a significant margin and those who are entering practice are disproportionately locating to urban areas and more lucrative specialties. Interestingly, the article did not mention pharmacists as primary care providers. What if we could step into that role? How would we do that? Where would we locate our practices so that we provided good access? What would we need ...
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Human vs Generative AI

By Dennis Tribble posted 23 days ago
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I saw an interesting graphic today displaying the time required to perform certain tasks with and without Generative AI. I freely admit that I have little basis on which to judge these numbers. But, even if they are only half-true, it would appear that generative AI should make a huge impact on routine clerical and administrative work. Take a look at the tasks described and consider what this might mean for where we place generative AI in the tasks we really don't want to do, mostly related to administrative/clerical work and, maybe, dispensing. I would love to hear what you think. Dennis A. Tribble, PharmD, FASHP Retired Ormond Beach, FL t ...
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Q2 2025 Update: Charting the Course Towards Pharmacy General Intelligence (PGI)

By Ben Michaels posted 26 days ago
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Pharmacy General Intelligence: Q2 2025 Update Welcome to the second in a series of quarterly updates tracking the evolution of AI through the lens of Pharmacy General Intelligence (PGI). As a reminder, PGI focuses specifically on AI's potential to perform at or beyond the level of a pharmacist, envisioning AI agents seamlessly integrated into pharmacy workflows for tasks like medication verification, dose adjustments, and patient counseling notes. My goal is to provide a clear overview of the AI landscape, highlighting both the advancements propelling us towards PGI and the remaining hurdles. Expect insights into policy changes, industry trends, and technological ...
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Wallpaper

By Dennis Tribble posted 05-29-2025
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Having been involved in acute care medication management and the impact of a few disruptive technologies over the last 50 years, I have had a lot of time to think about what it takes for a disruptive technology to succeed within our practice. We are, after all, a cautious bunch. IV workflow was first presented at an ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting in 2007; it took another 10 years to become commonplace. I have come to the conclusion that it is not just our caution that stands in the way of disruptive innovation, but rather that the problems that really need be solved are so large, and have seemed to be insoluble for so long, that we just don't see them any more. ...
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What does the next phase of medication distribution look like?

By Dennis Tribble posted 05-23-2025
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Today I was cleaning out my hard drive and ran across a draft document that never seemed to have gone anywhere entitled "Rethinking Medication Distribution in the Acute Care Setting". It is probably a couple of years old now, but I think it raises some questions that we need to answer as a profession. My interest was piqued by the article by Flynn et al entitled "The Autonomous Pharmacy" 1 , which did an excellent job of describing a 50,000 foot view of the problem but lacked details, as a vision statement should. It also reminded me of a classic video of a lecture by Russ Ackoff (that I recommend to your viewing) wherein he describes the process by which ...
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Exploring the Current State of Robotic Sterile Compounding – Part 2

By Leigh Miley posted 05-21-2025
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Exploring the Current State of Robotic Sterile Compounding – Part 2 Authors: Stacy Carson , PharmD, BCPS, FISMP; Darren S Ferer , BS Pharm, CPHIMS ; James Fiebert, PharmD, CPHIMS; Leigh Ann Miley, PharmD, BCPS, BCSCP; Destiny Riddle, PharmD; Audrey Ruotolo, PharmD, BCPS; Chris topher Urbanski, BS Pharm , MS, FASHP SAG: Operations and Automation In part 1 of this blog, the current state of the industry in sterile compounding robotics is explored , including an overview of available solutions, benefits and challenges of implementation, and strategies for success. ...
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Exploring the Current State of Robotic Sterile Compounding – Part 1

By Leigh Miley posted 05-14-2025
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Exploring the Current State of Robotic Sterile Compounding – Part 1 Authors: Stacy Carson , PharmD, BCPS, FISMP; Darren S Ferer , BS Pharm, CPHIMS ; James Fiebert, PharmD, CPHIMS; Leigh Ann Miley, PharmD, BCPS, BCSCP; Destiny Riddle, PharmD; Audrey Ruotolo, PharmD, BCPS; Chris topher Urbanski, BS Pharm , MS, FASHP SAG: Operations and Automation Int ro Advancements in i ntravenous workflow management system s (IVWMS) have transformed the preparation of sterile compound s . IVWMS such as a utomated parenteral nutrition compounders , barcode scanning ...
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Strategies to Implement Practice Change in Light of New Literature and Guidelines

By Ma Emmanuelle Domingo posted 05-06-2025
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Strategies to Implement Practice Change in Light of New Literature and Guidelines Authors: Katie Blomquist, Morgan Bridwell, Ella Domingo, James Kortus, Jess Patel; Clinical Resources Workgroup, Clinical Practice Advisory Group - ASHP New Practitioners Forum The Significance of Staying Up-To-Date with New Literature and Guidelines Pharmacy practice is continually evolving, and literature and guidelines inform our medical management. Guidelines are updated every few years, and literature is published frequently. In order to provide the highest level of care, we must be aware of notable advances and apply relevant findings in a timely ...
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Credentialing and Privileging Discussion

By Emma Rednour posted 04-28-2025
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Hi all! On behalf of the Practice Advancement and Advocacy Advisory Group, we would like to provide discussion on the current state of credentialing and privileging processes for health-system pharmacists at various institutions. Below you will find information compiled by our work group members about the definitions of credentialing and privileging from the Council on Credentialing in Pharmacy as well as procedures used at each of our current practice sites. Additionally, we invite you to respond to our discussion questions at the end. Definition of Credentialing: a) The process of granting a credential (a designation that indicates qualifications ...
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Pharmacist Calibrated Eyeballs

By Dennis Tribble posted 04-17-2025
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I received an email from the MSOS community today that discussed the process of dual-pharmacist checking on orders for certain high-risk drugs. It reminded me of a concern I have long had that we seem to believe that having a person look at something is more reliable than an automated check (such as scanning the bar code on a container) and that having two people provides more safety than having one person look at it. Double-checking of an order made some sense when we had to transcribe those orders into a pharmacy system, but, with EMR systems, such transcriptions have largely gone away. For those reading this blog that employ two-person checks, when was the ...
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Beyond The Script: Unique Areas of Pharmacy Practice Part 3

By Prit Gor posted 04-15-2025
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1. What does a typical day look like in your role?  My day varies significantly based upon what projects and implementations are currently underway. On clinic days, the majority of my time is spent meeting with patients to discuss PGx testing or the impact of their results. On other days, I perform literature review, quality assurance testing, development of CDS tools or collaborate with other members of the health system. 2. How does your role impact patient care?  I improve patient care by reducing incidence of adverse drug events. Knowledge of pharmacogenomic information has also been shown to increase patient ...
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Didn’t Match for Residency? How to Pivot and Grow Professionally

By Deanna Laughlin posted 04-04-2025
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Didn’t Match for Residency? How to Pivot and Grow Professionally The residency match process is highly competitive, and not matching can feel like a major setback. However, professional growth isn’t defined by a single outcome—it’s shaped by adaptability, strategic planning, and continuous development. If you didn’t match, this is an opportunity to pivot, build new skills, and expand your professional identity in ways that will strengthen your career long-term. Here’s how to maximize this moment for professional growth : 1. Reframe the Experience as a Growth Opportunity Career paths in pharmacy are rarely linear. Some of the most successful pharmacists ...
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Beyond The Script: Unique Areas of Pharmacy Practice Part 2

By Prit Gor posted 04-03-2025
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1. What does a typical day look like in your role?  On any given week, each day could look different. It is one of the things I love about my job, and it keeps me energized and engaged every day. Right now I spend about half my time in practice and the other half focusing on teaching, research, outreach, and service. My clinical area of interest is substance use disorders. When I am in practice, I spend time at both Nationwide Children’s Hospital in their Substance Use Treatment and Recovery program and Ohio State General Internal Medicine in their Primary Care Addiction Medicine clinic. I have the opportunity to work with a multidisciplinary ...
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Beyond The Script: Unique Areas of Pharmacy Practice Part 1

By Prit Gor posted 03-25-2025
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What does a typical day look like in your role? As a clinical pharmacist in the cardiovascular intensive care unit, I spend most of my morning rounding on critically ill patients with cardiogenic shock requiring mechanical circulatory support, such as percutaneous ventricular assist devices (VADs) or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Many of these patients are being evaluated for advanced heart failure therapies, including heart transplantation or durable VAD implantation, or managing complications of such therapies. I provide clinical recommendations on high-risk medications, including anticoagulation for mechanical circulatory support, ...
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Q1 2025 Update: Charting the Course Towards Pharmacy General Intelligence (PGI)

By Ben Michaels posted 03-11-2025
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Welcome to the first in a series of what I hope to be quarterly updates tracking the exciting evolution of AI through the lens of Pharmacy General Intelligence (PGI). You've likely heard of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), the concept of AI matching or surpassing human cognitive abilities. 1 PGI takes this a step further, focusing specifically on AI's potential to perform at or beyond the level of a skilled pharmacist. Imagine an AI agent seamlessly integrated into pharmacy workflows, handling tasks like medication verification, dose adjustments, and even patient counseling notes. My goal is to provide a clear overview of the AI landscape, highlighting ...
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Professional Development Connect Blog Series: After the Residency Interview: Follow-Ups, Thank Yous, and Next Steps

By Deanna Laughlin posted 02-28-2025
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After the Residency Interview: Follow-Ups, Thank Yous, and Next Steps The residency interview process doesn’t end when you leave the interview room. The post-interview period is a crucial time to solidify your impressions, express gratitude, and strategically plan your next steps. Here’s how to navigate this phase effectively. 1. Sending a Thoughtful Thank You Note A well-crafted thank-you email reinforces your enthusiasm for the program and appreciation for the opportunity. Send Within 24-48 Hours: Prompt follow-up demonstrates professionalism. Personalize Your Message: Mention specific details from your conversation to make ...
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Professional Development Connect Blog Series: Mastering the Residency Interview: What to Expect and How to Shine

By Deanna Laughlin posted 02-21-2025
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Mastering the Residency Interview: What to Expect and How to Shine Residency interviews are a critical step in securing a position that aligns with your career goals. This day is your opportunity to showcase your clinical knowledge, communication skills, and professionalism. Knowing what to expect and how to prepare can set you apart from other candidates. Here’s a guide to help you navigate interview day with confidence. What to Expect on Interview Day Welcome Session and Program Overview Most residency interviews begin with an introduction from the program director or faculty members. They’ll provide an overview of the program, its structure, ...
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Interesting figures regarding hospital costs

By Dennis Tribble posted 02-16-2025
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As many of you know, I find Becker's to be an occasional source of interesting information. Today (2/16/2025) was one of those days. In an article entitled Hospital labor, drug expenses rising: 18 statistics , Supply, Drug and Labor costs were cited nationally and for each of five regions in the United States. These numbers came from the Kaufmann Hall Research Report. Perhaps not surprisingly, costs for all three categories were above the national average for Western states. Perhaps more surprisingly, costs for the Northeast/Mid-Atlantic and Midwest regions were all below the national average I encourage you to take a look at the report and judge ...
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Professional Development Connect Blog Series: Residency Interview Prep 101: Setting Yourself Up for Success

By Deanna Laughlin posted 02-14-2025
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Residency Interview Prep 101: Setting Yourself Up for Success The pharmacy residency interview is your opportunity to showcase your clinical knowledge, leadership skills, and cultural fit within a program. Preparation is key to feeling confident and making a lasting impression. Here’s a step-by-step guide to ensure you’re fully prepared. 1. Research the Program Before stepping into the interview, gain an in-depth understanding of the program: Review the program’s website for details on rotations, preceptors, and unique offerings. Reach out to current residents or alumni to gain insider insights. Familiarize yourself with the institution’s ...
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Drug concept encoding

By Dennis Tribble posted 01-04-2025
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About a year ago, I posted a blog on how we create data silos . As I perused that blog, I realized that had omitted a significant way in which we create data silos, local data encoding. That is, we use non-standard data identifiers for our drug concepts, often using codes that are derived from a local charge description master or re-imagined at each health-system; sometimes at each facility! So the identifier assigned to, let's say, an Ibuprofen 200 mg tablet, is not only different at each facility, but may wind up pointing to an entirely different drug at a different organization. One of the benefits from having worked both as a provider and within industry ...
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