Pharmaceutical services in an extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy center

Satellite pharmacy services in a hospital's extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) center are described. At an 833-bed hospital, an ESWL center was opened in 1985. The existing surgical pharmacy satellite provided pharmaceutical services to the ESWL center with no addition of pharmacy staff. Drug boxes for the ESWL procedure were prepared, and the ESWL area was provided with a limited stock of infusion and irrigation fluids, drugs, and supplies. After each ESWL procedure, the box was checked for patient charges and restocked. Charge slips for floor-stock items were also placed in the box. The initial pharmacy cost to supply the ESWL unit was $500. The satellite pharmacist provides distributive functions, drug information, and quality assurance. Estimated annual pharmacy revenue from the ESWL is $239,240. Pharmacists' new role in the ESWL was beneficial to the pharmacy department and to the hospital.