Microcomputer applications in hospital pharmacy practice

Advances in microcomputer technology and the proliferation of applications software give hospital pharmacists the opportunity to manage their departments and provide services at higher levels of efficiency and sophistication than ever before. In a survey of clinical services in hospital pharmacies in the South Atlantic states, Perri, et al. note that pharmacies with computers (not necessarily microcomputers) provided significantly more services than those without computers. While other factors may explain the difference in the number of services provided, the observed relationship is no less intriguing. In order to keep pace with the changes in health care delivery, pharmacists, both managers and staff, must familiarize themselves with new technologies (such as the microcomputer) and incorporate them into their professional practice. Nold's reflections on the future of personal computing clearly state the challenge for the future: "Using a PC should be viewed as basic as reading, writing and arithmetic. By understanding the use of the PC and knowing the PC trends, pharmacists can evolve their practices and their profession for tomorrow's health care challenges."