The pharmacist as a trauma team member

Mission Community Hospital in a 220-bed medical center. The pharmacy department is involved with services for the trauma center, neonatal ICU, oncology, nursery, critical care, pediatric, and medical/surgical patients. The role of the pharmacist in both the acute phase and the follow-up care of the trauma patient is described. The purpose of this article is to show contributions pharmacists can make in the care of trauma patients. Areas such as drug distribution, patient monitoring, and cost containment will be discussed.