Program for advancing supervisor skills among pharmacy technicians.

PURPOSE: This publication outlines the development and implementation of a leadership enhancement program for pharmacy technician supervisors at University of Michigan Health (UMH). The program aims to equip these supervisors with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel as leaders in the pharmacy field, addressing the pressing need for strong leaders in healthcare. SUMMARY: UMH recognized the need to cultivate effective leaders within its pharmacy department due to the impending shortage of pharmacy leaders and the rising demand for technicians and future pharmacists. To meet this need, a leadership enhancement program was introduced, offering flexibility and a comprehensive framework for enhancing the skills of pharmacy technician supervisors. The program covers annual, biennial, and flexible rotating topics and offers a structured monthly format for active participation. Additionally, the program utilizes a rigorous selection process for training resources and continuous quality improvement efforts to ensure effectiveness. Through developing leadership skills among technician supervisors, the organization aims to achieve tangible benefits, including decreased turnover rates and increased employee satisfaction. CONCLUSION: The program for enhancing supervisor skills at UMH is a flexible and adaptable framework for leadership development in pharmacy. Its success in enhancing leadership skills for future pharmacy leaders is crucial in the evolving healthcare landscape and supports the growth of leaders in this domain. By acknowledging the value and expertise that pharmacy technicians bring, organizations can harness their potential and, in turn, benefit the entire healthcare system. This program's principles are transferable to other organizations seeking to empower their employees with tools to thrive in new leadership roles, thus contributing to their growth and success.

Updating formulations for compounded oral liquid medications in a university health system.

PURPOSE: The development of a compounded oral liquid medication formulary and subsequent implementation of revised standard formulations in a university health system are described. METHODS: A standard assessment form was developed to direct evaluation of published literature and current compounding resources for all oral liquid formulations prepared by health-system pharmacies. Specific variables reviewed included concentration, components, beyond-use dating, and storage recommendations. After their review and approval, revised formulations were typed into distinct templates that incorporated additional safety features. An online departmental repository was developed to house the revised formulations. RESULTS: Modifications were made to 136 (78%) of the 175 compounded formulations reviewed. Changes in storage conditions and extension of beyond-use dating were the most common revisions in 77 (44%) and 42 (24%) of compounds, respectively. In addition, strawberry syrup was removed as a component of 38 (22%) formulations, reducing exposure of pediatric patients to red dye. Presentations were given at several forums to inform pharmacy staff of the goals of the project and details regarding implementation. In addition, e-mail communications were sent to share the online location of the updated formulations and compounding sheets. Nursing, medical, and pharmacy staff were notified of concentration changes through the pharmacy newsletter and e-mail. CONCLUSION: A comprehensive review resulted in updates to over 75% of oral liquid medications prepared by pharmacies in a university health system. Revised formulations were made available through an online repository, ensuring consistency of compounding procedures with respect to concentrations, components, and storage requirements.