Achieving pharmacist proficiency in pharmacokinetic dosage adjustments

A pharmacokinetics training and certification program for staff pharmacists in a community hospital is described. A pharmacokinetics committee consisting of six pharmacists with extensive clinical experience in pharmacokinetics was formed to implement the program. A self-teaching module incorporating basic pharmacokinetic concepts and sample problems was developed. Specific guidelines for calculating dosages of the aminoglycosides and theophylline were also developed, as were indications for the appropriate ordering and serum sampling of these drugs. These guidelines were used in the didactic training of pharmacists, and their knowledge of this information was evaluated by written examinations. Pharmacists were also required to calculate drug dosages for patients in the hospital. These pharmacokinetics calculations were evaluated by the pharmacokinetics committee at periodic meetings. Of the 12 pharmacists included in the training program initially, 9 completed the entire training and certification process. All new pharmacists are now required to obtain certification in pharmacokinetics; yearly recertification of all pharmacists is obtained by participation in patient case presentations involving calculation of drug dosages. This pharmacokinetics training program ensures a standard level of competency among staff pharmacists and may increase physicians' reliance on pharmacists for adjusting drug dosages.