Work restructuring overview and implications for pharmacists.

Patient-centered work restructuring reduces costs and improves quality by helping hospitals make better use of high-skilled professionals in an environment that requires few non-valued activities in fulfilling patient clinical and support needs. Described in this article are the critical elements of core process reengineering, several principles of patient-centered care, the implications for pharmacy, and the pharmacist's role in the new environment. The goal is to increase the amount of time pharmacists spend in clinical decision making, education, and monitoring to help expedite patient recovery, shorten lengths of stay, and improve utilization effectiveness.