Characteristics of hospital pharmacy practice in Indiana

Hospital pharmacy practice in Indiana was surveyed to determine drug distribution services, additional services, staffing and salaries. Questionnaires were mailed to the directors of the 113 licensed hospital pharmacies in the state; 63% responded. Unit dose drug distribution systems were used by 19% of the hospitals for all beds; by 16% for some of their beds. Intravenous admixture services were provided by 43% of the respondents. Drug use review, patient education and inservice education were all provided by more than 10 of the respondents; in general, clinical services were not well developed. Salaries for directors were related more to hospital bed size than to years of experience as a pharmacist. Howeever, salaries for staff pharmacists were related more to years of experience than to hospital bed size. It appeared that staff pharmacists who want to earn more income must consider an administrative position.