The implementation of comprehensive critical care pharmacy services through the development of a 24-hour satellite pharmacy.

This report details the evolution of pharmacy services within the critical care areas of a large general hospital. The program began with the assignment of a clinical pharmacist to the intensive care unit and now includes a staff of six pharmacists operating from a 24-hour satellite pharmacy dedicated to critical care services. In the process a system has been developed which allows all staff to function in an integrated distributive-clinical role, eliminating the distinction between pharmacists performing these two separate functions. The system provides for total unit dose and IV admixture services as well as in-depth clinical monitoring, drug information and research responsibilities. Early impressions validate the success of this approach and objective evaluation, including the auditing of clinical input, is underway.