Expanding pharmaceutical services through efficient staff scheduling

Methods utilized to expand pharmaceutical services in hospitals without additional personnel are of prime concern in light of the numerous cost containment constraints. Our hospital was able to expand its services through the development of a standardized staff pharmacist schedule. This schedule rotates every eight-week period and divides work responsibilities equally during this period. In addition, all staff pharmacists are given the opportunity to participate in expanded drug information and clinical services for a two-month period as the schedule progresses. This article describes how this schedule was developed and summarizes the expanded services made possible by its implementation.