With over 20 years of experience in pharmacy and 10 in leadership positions I have had a lot of accomplishments during that time. There are too many highlights to include on a 2-3 page resume; therefore I will list below more of the highlights of my accomplishments.
New Hospital Construction
Worked with architects and engineers to plan and build a brand new hospital to replace the aging building. This included designing a new pharmacy layout with positive pressure and negative pressure clean rooms. This project overall was unique in that it was near an airport and required involvement of the FAA in order to finalize our building plans.
Conversion to EPIC Electronic Health Record
Served as a site leader and super user for the design, testing, training and system wide rollout of a new EHR for the health system. This was a two year project that involved every department within the health system to accomplish.
Forming a New Hospital
Sparrow Hospital expanded to form Sparrow Specialty Hospital, a long term acute care hospital. It is rare for a new hospital entity to be formed and there is a required demonstration period from CMS in order to obtain certification for Medicare and commercial insurance reimbursement. During the demonstration period CMS conducts regular audits and inspections. I was the pharmacist in charge for the hospital during the demonstration period and very proud that the pharmacy met all CMS inspection standards each of the 4 times they were on site to conduct audits.
After Hours Pharmacy Services
Developed process for after hours pharmacy services for Sparrow Specialty Hospital and criteria to be met for pharmacist to be called in.
Dosing Services
Developed and implemented anti-coagulation and pharmacokinetic dosing services at Sparrow Specialty Hospital and again later at Sparrow Ionia Hospital. Each time a reduction in INR’s out of range for warfarin patients was observed as well as improved antibiotic efficacy and reduction in elevated serum creatinine levels.
Emergency Preparedness
While a pharmacist at Sparrow Hospital I worked with Risk Management and Infection Control Departments to plan for the dispersal from the Department of Homeland Security National Stockpile of medications and the set up an alternative treatment site at a local school should the hospital run out of beds. Once these were in place we participate in the largest disaster drill in the history of the state of Michigan, which spanned multiple counties and hospitals.
While Director of Pharmacy at Sparrow Specialty Hospital I once again developed a process for dispersal of medications from the sites national medication stockpile. I served as the Pharmacy Department Emergency Response Chair and participated and no less than two disaster drills a year. Due to a flood in the area we did experience an actual disaster event where we did need to utilize lessons learned in our drills. This disaster event lasted for 3 days.
Joint Commission Preparedness
Developed binder for preparedness of coming Joint Commission survey for Sparrow Ionia Hospital. This binder contained all Joint Commission Medication Management Standards, divided into sections. For each section I included all policies, operating procedures and copies of records to show how the pharmacy department is meeting each standard. I completed a gap analysis of the pharmacy departments processes for USP 797 compliance and then used the results to strengthen policies, procedures and processes. Upon JC survey the only medication management RFI received was for an undated influenza vaccine found in an offsite medical practice, which we found had been opened earlier the same day. The solution was additional training for nursing staff and additional audits by pharmacy to ensure compliance.
Design Clean Room
Upon hire with Corizon I was tasked with overseeing operations at Duane Waters Hospital, a prison operated inpatient facility. I conducted a gap analysis to assess compliance with USP 797. There was a large gaps between practice and current standards. There was not clean room, only a CACI in the general work area. I proposed and designed a new clean room to the Michigan Department of Corrections. Once approved I met with MDOC Regional Maintenance, architects and outside contractors to complete construction of the clean room to current USP 797 standards.
Hazard Drug Use Policy
Worked with State of Michigan Sanitarians to rewrite the Michigan Department of Corrections Hazard Drug Use policy that is in place state wide. This policy directs staff for the safe handling, use and disposal of those medications listed as hazardous by NIOSH.
Verified Pharmacy Program
Set up process for and completed initial inspection of the hospital pharmacy at Duane Waters Hospital when the State of Michigan began requiring sterile compounding pharmacies to be accredited 6/30/2017. In completing this process we discovered many holes and inconsistencies with the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy newly created VPP standards. I outlined my concerns in our response and many of my recommendations were accepted. Having taken over the the pharmacy services as of 6/1/2016 we had short time line to get the IV room constructed and in compliance. Given the short time frame and large number of changes being made to pre-existing process we did very well on our inspection. Our follow-up inspection from Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory affairs also found very few problems.
Elimination of Cart Fill
The Michigan Department of Corrections had hung on to a cart fill process for delivery of medications far longer than most traditional hospitals. It was quickly recognized that the cart fill process that was their standard of practice was actually a source for a significant number of medication errors. Orders would get changed but medications were still in the cart and would be given. A new process was implemented that eliminated the cart fill medication process. The error rate decreased, improving safety. Cost savings was also observed as a result due to decreased waste and returns that could not be reused.