key terms
admitting order
A physician’s initial medication and treatment order for a patient being admitted to a hospital or healthcare facility.
Drug Formulary
An approved list of prescription medications that are available for use within a particular hospital, health system, or insurance plan.
Home medications
Medications that a patient was taking before admission to a healthcare facility, often reviewed upon admission and discharge.
The joint commission
An independent organization that accredits and certifies healthcare organizations in the U.S. for meeting quality and safety standards.
Pharmacy and Therapeutics (P&T) Committee
A hospital committee that evaluates and approves drugs for the formulary and establishes policies for medication use.
Automated medication dispensing system (AMDS)
A computerized cabinet or device that stores, dispenses, and tracks medications electronically to improve accuracy and security.
Electronic Health Record (EHR)
A digital version of a patient’s medical history, including diagnoses, medications, lab results, and treatment plans, accessible to authorized healthcare providers.
Institutional Review Board (IRB)
A committee that reviews and approves research involving human subjects to ensure ethical standards and patient safety.
medical chart
A comprehensive record of a patient’s medical history, diagnoses, treatments, test results, and healthcare provider notes.
pick station
A designated area in the pharmacy where technicians select and prepare medications for delivery or distribution.
Cart Fill List
A daily list of medications that need to be placed in each patient’s medication drawer (cart) for a 24-hour period.
eMAR (electronic medication administration record)
A digital system that records and tracks the administration of medications to patients, replacing paper MARs.
Intake Record
Documentation completed when a patient enters a healthcare facility, capturing demographics, medical history, and current medications.
Medication Order
A written or electronic instruction from a licensed prescriber authorizing the dispensing and administration of a drug to a patient.
Policy and Procedures Manual
A reference guide outlining standard operating procedures and rules for pharmacy operations and employee conduct.
Director of Pharmacy
The pharmacist responsible for managing and overseeing all pharmacy operations, staff, and compliance within a healthcare facility
Floor Stock
Medications kept in a nursing unit or department for immediate or frequent use, not patient-specific.
IV admixture
The preparation of sterile intravenous solutions by mixing one or more medications into a base IV fluid.
Nonformulary Drug
A medication not included on a facility’s approved drug formulary, requiring special approval for use.
Quality Assurance (QA)
A program or process used to ensure pharmacy services meet defined standards of accuracy, safety, and effectiveness.
Discharge Order
A physician’s instructions for medications and care given to a patient leaving the hospital or healthcare facility.
Home infusion pharmacy
A pharmacy that prepares and delivers intravenous (IV) medications and supplies for patients to receive treatment at home.
Investigational Drug
A medication that is being tested in clinical trials and has not yet been approved by the FDA for general use.
par levels
The minimum and maximum quantities of a medication or supply that should be kept in inventory to ensure availability without overstocking.
STAT order
A medication or treatment order that must be prepared and administered immediately due to urgent patient needs.