|
|
 |
|
| News & Events |
| February 07, 2006
|
« Back To News |
| HOSPICE PHARMACY PROGRAM RECEIVES ACCREDITATION |
 |
 Niagara Hospice recently received accreditation for its residency program in pharmacy practice, with emphasis in home care, from the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). The Commission arrived at its decision based on a thorough review and survey conducted at Niagara Hospice in May, 2005. The ASHP Board of Directors reviewed and accepted the Commission on Credentialing’s actions on September 23, 2005. Accreditation is granted subject to the provisions of the ASHP Regulations on Accreditation of Pharmacy Residencies.
The Pharmacy Practice Residency Program is a joint collaboration of Niagara Hospice and the University at Buffalo’s School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences to provide a post-doctoral pharmacist residency. “We are very excited about this recognition,” said Robert Wahler, UB clinical assistant professor of pharmacy and Niagara Hospice pharmacy practice residency director. “Our pharmacy practice residency with emphasis in home care is the only nationally accredited residency based in a hospice, furthering Niagara Hospice’s conscious effort to be a teaching hospice.”
The joint venture has placed both institutions at the forefront of research and instruction in hospice and palliative care. The partnership is instrumental in offering patients the unique type of comfort and care that characterizes Niagara Hospice. Under the agreement, Niagara Hospice provides a residency to a pharmacist who performs research and supervises UB pharmacy students during clinical rotations at its facility on Sunset Drive in the Town of Lockport.
“Our pharmacy education program has grown from one student on a clinical experience program to a full-fledged post-doctoral residency program,” said Wahler.
Niagara Hospice president & CEO, John Lomeo, said the inclusion of a resident pharmacist in the patient’s care plan has proved to be a tremendous resource to both the clinical caregivers and the patient. “This clinical exposure to hospice and palliative care also affords the resident invaluable experience in pain management and end-of-life care,” added Lomeo. Both say that the role of the pharmacist has become increasingly more important in hospice and palliative care and Wahler believes there are many hospice facilities that need a pharmaceutical expert to manage the therapeutic use, distribution and costs of medication. According to Wahler, many hospices nationwide have hired clinical pharmacists.
The pharmacy resident is responsible for management of patient pharmacy regimens in a cost-effective and quality efficient manner as well as coordinating the administration of medications for patients to assure there are no contra-indications and/or negative interactions between medications. Niagara Hospice patients have the benefit of vital expertise in the case management of pain and symptom control. Patients are not the only beneficiaries in this partnership, as UB pharmacy students work and gain knowledge in the clinical environment with the resident pharmacist and hospice caregivers.
The Pharmacy Resident program was initially made possible through a $30,659 grant from the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo. Objectives of the Foundation are to support creative and innovative responses to existing or emerging community problems; and support efforts that recognize and build on community strengths and assets. The Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo is a community endowment whose mission is to strengthen and improve the quality of life in the Greater Buffalo area by supporting and enhancing philanthropy and charitable activities.
Since serving its first patient in 1988, Niagara Hospice has received over 10,000 referrals for hospice service and served over 7,000 individuals, as well as their immediate and extended families. Hospice services include physical, emotional, spiritual and bereavement care. Hospice care is appropriate for any advanced stage illness, not just cancer, where the prognosis is a life expectancy of approximately six months or less. For more information, visit www.niagarahospice.org or call (716) 439-4417. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
|