Establishing a pharmacy and nursing committee

The development of a pharmacy and nursing committee to improve communication and interdepartmental relations is described. Too often pharmacists and nurses avoid talking about concerns or procedures until they become problems that must be resolved quickly. The purpose of the committee is to resolve issues using a cooperative approach. 1. To discuss the problems in an objective manner, in an attempt to diffuse the emotional component of the problem. 2. To permit discussion from each department's perspective. 3. To identify methods to resolve the problems that would be mutually agreeable. Both the departments of pharmacy and nursing are usually represented on many hospital committees and thus it would be mutually beneficial for both departments to work as a team rather than as adversaries. The logistics in committee formation is discussed. It is also suggested that other departments such as education and risk management may assist the pharmacy and nursing committee in its implementation and assessment of procedures. Since its development, the pharmacy and nursing committee has identified numerous problems and proposed solutions. The establishment of the pharmacy and nursing committee at our institution has assisted in improving the relationship between the two departments. Other hospital pharmacies are encouraged to develop a committee similar to the one described in this article.