Free Statistical Thinking In Health Care Research Paper Example

HMO pharmacy has the following prescription filling process

The second step comes after the prescription has been received. Forms Rx is then filled in a fax, phone, electronic, or a written manner, and the image is scanned into the database if necessary .
The third step is on the information concerning the patient. The information can be inserted into the database of the pharmacy on a computer (Doloresco & Vermeulen, 2009). Basic information about the patient should be readily available. These include the name of the patient, date of birth, home and street address, telephone or mobile number, vital health information, and the insurance cover that the patient has.
The fourth step, after all, the information about the patient has been extracted is the entry of data. The information that is entered into the database at this stage include: the information about the Doctor, NDC information, the written data, directions on the use of a new prescription, the quantity for the new prescription, DAW code entry and insurance to be billed. This occurs if the patient has insurance cover and all the other information that is necessary.
On the fifth stage, dispensing is done. At this stage, the pre-manufactured items are counted once or twice depending on the substance laws of a specific country. Compounding can also take place at this stage but most pharmacists prefer checking the ingredients before compounding to ensure that there is accuracy, and no products are subjected to waste. The pharmacist verifies the correct drug against a computerized NDC number in order to ensure that the two match. When the two have been verified, they are then stored and labeled accordingly. The prescription is then submitted to the pharmacist for double-check.
After the drugs have been dispensed, they are now released to the patient. The technicians undertake verifying the information about the patient to ensure that the right prescription id is given to the right patient. The technician offers counseling from the pharmacist and performs proper cash register to record the cash transactions and expenditures and register duties. At this stage, the patient or the representative is required to file that he or she has received medications. The pharmacists will record the identification information for all controlled substance.
During the prescription process, pharmacists face some problems. One of the problems is the dispensation of the wrong medication. This occurred when the doctor prescribed the correct medication while the pharmacist or a technician filled the prescription with wrong drugs . This error occurs due to improper abbreviations, labeling errors, negligent pharmacy policies that favor the speed of work without taking into account safety of the patient. The second problem is the dispensation of the wrong dosage. This often occurs in a scenario where the doctor prescribes the correct dosage and the pharmacist or a technician provides the same to the patient but in a wrong amount.
The third problem is the confusion between drugs that appears similar or those that sounds the same. Drugs that have the same physical appearance and the ones that sound the same when being pronounced at times mix up pharmacists.
In addition, there is a problem of pharmacists’ and physicians’ miscommunication. This can take place when a pharmacist fails to confirm a certain dosage or drug name with the prescribing doctor. They can also fail to communicate on the other medications that the patient is taking, and this may cause harm if the two medications are combined.
Finally, pharmacists at times fail to provide adequate counseling to the patient. This occurs in terms of a failure by the pharmacist to explain the side effects of a drug to the patient and the potential harm caused by the interaction of drugs.
SIPOC is a very important tool in understanding the potential issues and hidden costs that are likely to cause problems to pharmacists. This analysis is important in understanding how acquire resources in terms of human and natural capital (Britz, 1997). The knowledge that is obtained using this analysis is on customs, laws, politics, and local transport access. It is also useful in helping the organization to get deeper knowledge and details that are involved in I particular process. The same process could be used in line with the value stream map of the cycle. This is because it is important taking an approach of assessing the suppliers, inputs, processes, outputs, and consumers. This will help in the elimination of hidden problems or unwanted surprises. In addition, SIPOC analysis helps the business in understanding what is required. The pharmacists will get to plan on the best way to go forward.
Basing on the above assumptions by SIPOC analysis, the root causes of the problems facing HMO pharmacy include the renting of the manufacturing space. This is costly in a long run. The second cause is the non-compliance with the regulations and legal formalities that at times gets the business into a problem especially in this case where drugs are being dealt with. Another cause is the failure to follow the correct process especially during the prescription process. This will cause other problems such as wrong dosage or even wrong drugs. Finally is the cost of products to the doctors and patients. The cost is at times too high that the patients cannot afford.
In order to solve all these problems, SIPOC is used to address the emerging issues in terms of supplies, input, and the process of prescription, output, and customer. The following can be done to get all the problems solved, hiring skilled workers, making an easy access to raw materials, getting a suitable manufacturing space, compliance with legal, managerial and marketing regulations. By taking a step by step process during manufacturing to avoid wastage, producing products that meet the unmet needs of the consumers and availing products to doctors and nurses at an affordable price (Kheir & Fahey, 2011). When all these are applied, then realities will be reflected by the decisions made.
The current problem facing HMO can be countered by employing skilled workers who are the expert pharmacist. This is because staffing determines the quality of work produced. This solution can be measured using the suitability of the decisions made in the business by the new workers brought in to replace the unskilled ones.

References

Britz, D. W. Emerling, L. B. Hare, R. W. Hoerl, & J. E. Shade. (1997). "How to Teach Others to Apply Statistical Thinking." Quality Progress (June 1997): 67--80
Doloresco, F., & Vermeulen, L. C. (2009). Global survey of hospital pharmacy practice. American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy, 66(5 Supplement 3), s13-s19.
Kheir, N., & Fahey, M. (2011). Pharmacy practice in Qatar: challenges and opportunities. Southern med review, 4(2), 92.