The development of a hospital pharmacy policy and procedure manual

The value of a complete and comprehensive departmental manual for a hospital pharmacy is well recognized as an important factor in establishing written acceptable policies and procedures by which the department operates. Other purposes include its use as an orientation guide for new employees and its fulfillment as a guide to the department's scope of service for hospital accreditation. The Department of Pharmacy at Sunnybrook Medical Centre formed a Policy and Procedure Committee with members representing each departmental division to develop such a manual. This paper outlines the establishment of the format, organization and writing style of the manual and the actual writing and review of chapters.