Pharmaceutical services in an Army field hospital in Haiti during Operation Uphold Democracy.

The pharmaceutical services provided by an Army field hospital in Haiti during Operation Uphold Democracy are described. In January 1995, 155 soldiers of the 47th Field Hospital from Ft. Sill, Oklahoma, were deployed to Haiti to provide medical care for 2400 U.S. troops and 7000 multinational troops and police officers. The pharmacy staff (one pharmacist and two technicians) provided patient counseling, drug information, staff consultation, and clinical support to the intensive and intermediate care wards and emergency medical tent of the field hospital. Other responsibilities were providing nonprescription drugs to outpatients, interpreting and evaluating drug orders, participating in drug selection, and ordering supplies. A 30- to 60-day drug supply was maintained. The formulary was designed by the pharmacist and an internist and was based on the mission requirements and conditions in Haiti. Of the 10 oral medications most commonly dispensed to outpatients, 6 were antibacterials and 1 was an antimalarial. An average of two patients were admitted to the hospital daily. Some 240 inpatients were recorded in the pharmacy computer during the hospital's six-month deployment, and more than 5000 were treated in the emergency tent. The pharmacy service of the 47th Field Hospital met the challenge of supporting U.S. and multinational troops in Haiti during Operation Uphold Democracy.