Unit I: Introduction

to Pharmacy
Informatics
OUTLINE

❖ Pharmacy Informatics and Related Terms : Defined

❖ Role of Pharmacists in Informatics
❖ Characteristics of an Informatics Pharmacist
❖ Importance of Pharmacy Informatics

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PHARMACY INFORMATICS
Informatics
- Study of best practices in information
accrual, handling, dissemination, and
comprehension using appropriate
technology

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Health Informatics
- Practice of acquiring, studying, and managing
health data and applying medical concepts
in conjunction with health information
technology systems

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Medical Informatics
- The use of information science and
technology to advance medical knowledge
and improve quality of care and health
system performance

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Drug Informatics
- refers to the electronic management of drug
information. It emphasizes the use of
technology as an integral tool in effectively
organizing, analyzing, managing, and
communicating information on medication
use in patients.
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Pharmacoeconomics
- Selecting an economically useful care plan
with maximum efficacy for the patient’s
condition

- Pharmacy informatics is more on designing

the best care plan using best available drug
information 8
Information Technology
- Focuses on the technology that is used to
deliver drug information

- Pharmacy informatics combines technology

and drug incompatibilities in providing
pharmaceutical services
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 Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society,
Pharmacy Informatics
- scientific field that focuses on medication-
related data and knowledge within the
continuum of healthcare systems - including
its acquisition, storage, analysis, use and

October 2006
dissemination - in the delivery of optimal
medication-related patient care and
- health outcomes. 10
Pharmacy Informatics

American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy, 2007

- An important subset of medical informatics in
which pharmacists “use their knowledge of
information systems and medication-use
processes to improve patient care by
ensuring that new technologies lead to safer
and more effective medication use”
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INFORMATICS PHARMACIST
“ An informatics
pharmacist has dual
specialization:
▪ Pharmacotherapy
▪ Information technology

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“ An informatics
pharmacist has keen
discernment skills:
▪ Pharmacy practice from
analytical perspective
▪ Information technology
from clinical perspective
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“ An informatics
pharmacist has the
skill to identify the
“big picture” but also
pays attention to
details.
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INFORMATICS PHARMACIST
Characteristics
CHARACTERISTICS OF AN INFROMATICS
PHARMACIST

▪ Has high level of understanding of

pharmacy practice

▪ Has mastered the medication-use

process

▪ Has knowledge of information systems

and medication technology 17
CHARACTERISTICS OF AN INFROMATICS
PHARMACIST

▪ Has firm background in database design,

function, and usage

▪ Has excellent communication skills

▪ Has initiative and is also innovative

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CHARACTERISTICS OF AN INFROMATICS
PHARMACIST

▪ Can anticipate future needs

▪ Focuses on the “end-users”

▪ Is technology-oriented

▪ Is an educator and/or Motivator

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INFORMATICS PHARMACIST
Roles
ROLES OF AN INFROMATICS PHARMACIST

▪ Promotes medication safety

▪ Adapts to the changing needs of the
pharmacy practice
▪ Serves as liaison to other related
departments
▪ Serves as reliable source of medication
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information
Present Technology
▪ HIS
▪ eMAR
▪ CPOE
▪ CDSS
▪ Electronic prescribing 22
Working Model for Pharmacy Informatics

Drug
Information
Patient
Information

Information
and
Technology
Skills

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Patient-centered Care
Thanks!

▪ For next meeting:

▫ Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Literature

▫ Textbook sources
▫ Internet Sources
▫ Biomedical Literature
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