Training pharmacists for pediatric I.V. medication administration

As the result of a shortage of nursing personnel, satellite pharmacists at University Hospital have assumed the responsibility of administering intravenous medications on selected pediatric nursing units. This article describes a program developed to train pediatric pharmacists to administer intravenous (I.V.) medications and provide decentralized clinical services. The Department of Pharmacy Services and Nursing Staff Development cooperated in defining the duties and responsibilities of I.V. medication pharmacists and developing the training program. Each pharmacist is required to successfully complete two weeks of classroom instruction and four weeks of clinical training conducted on pediatric nursing units. Comprehensive checklists were designed to document all training efforts. The program of I.V. medication administration by satellite pharmacists has been well received by physicians, nurses, and pharmacists. The Department of Pharmacy Services feels that the I.V. medication administration training program played an instrumental role in insuring the success of its pediatric service.