Services of the Drug Information Center
Respond to Drug Information Requests from Health-care Professionals in the Following Areas:
Drug Therapy/Pharmacotherapy
Medication Dosing
Drug Interactions
Product Availability
Drug-Induced Adverse Effects
Product Identification
Generic Drug Bioequivalence
Pharmacokinetics
Government and Industry Activities
Pharmacodynamics
Pregnancy/Lactation
Compounding
IV Compatibility
Regulatory Affairs
Click
here to review the most recent SUGDIS Quality Assurance
Survey results that are utilized to ensure that the SUGDIS objectives are being
accomplished as well as fulfilling the needs and expectations of our clients.
Provide a 24-hour On-Call Service Seven Days a Week
Subscriber's may contact SUGDIS personnel outside of the normal operating hours to obtain drug information when the request is of an urgent nature through a digital paging system.
Prepare Drug Literature Evaluations/Formulary Class Reviews
SUGDIS can assist the Subscriber in determining which medications should be recommended for formulary status by developing drug literature evaluations (DLEs) and/or formulary class reviews.
Develop and Print Computerized Formulary
An individualized formulary can be developed from the center's database of more than 7,000 products and tailored to the subscriber’s needs. Thus, 50 bed hospitals may have a first class, updated cross-referenced formulary comparable to those of 500+ bed institutions.
Rx TIPs (Therapeutic Information for Prescribing)
This educational service serves as a guide to prescribing medications for health care providers (specifically prescribers and pharmacists). At times, misinformation is presented that can lead to the misuse of medications. Each one-page newsletter presents evidence-based data/information and recommendations supported by the literature to ensure medications are prescribed appropriately.
Publish a Weekly Newsletters
Two news services, Current Literature and Information for Pharmacists (CLIPs) and New Drug Fax Sheet, (to view titles, select either years 2006, 2007 or 2008) have been developed to further meet the information needs of subscriber. CLIPs was created to notify pharmacists and other health care professionals of recently published pharmacy/biomedical literature. The New Drug FAX Sheet was developed to inform health care professionals of current medication information/news. Each Monday morning, one of these two newsletters is published for subscribers. Additional newsletter editions are published throughout the month to notify subscribers of breaking news or other pertinent information.
Publish the Quarterly Newsletter
Subscribers receive a publication at least quarterly titled Pharmacy Pre’cis that addresses either new drug reviews, drug class reviews, new breakthroughs in medicine or current topics of interest to all health-care professionals. One issue per year presents the SUGDIS Quality Assurance Survey results that are utilized to ensure that the SUGDIS objectives are being accomplished as well as fulfilling the needs and expectations of our clients. Click here to review this issue.
Development of Disease Treatment Recommendations
SUGDIS can develop or assist subscribers in the development of medical practice guidelines that incorporate current, relevant and comprehensive information to provide appropriate drug therapy for patients.
Prepare Policy and Procedures
SUGDIS has the capabilities and resources to prepare policy and procedures for various pharmacy activities that include: medication use, administration, storage and/or disposal techniques; disease state therapeutic options; and personnel issues.
Develop DUE/MUE Criteria and Analysis
A DUE/MUE program can be developed as a quality assurance and management tool by incorporating outcome variables into audits.
Provide Committee Support (P&T, IRB, QA)
SUGDIS will participate as an ex-officio member of the above committees upon request.
Assist with the Antibiotic Management Program
SUGDIS can assist the subscribers in the implementation of a concurrent and/or prospective antibiotic management program that addresses the prevention of resistance and provides quality patient care.
Provide Pharmacy Practice Materials
SUGDIS can provide information to assist in the daily activities of pharmacy practice. This includes formulations for extemporaneous compounding, patient drug information and/or disease information sheets, and information for compliance with OBRA regulations.
Computer Modeling for Cost Containment
Spreadsheet computer modeling allows SUGDIS to evaluate drug usage patterns and therapy costs to determine the best solution for a subscriber. Results are developed into educational programs and possible policies to help improve rational drug use and decrease costs without compromising the quality of patient care.
Provide Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health-care Organization Accreditation [JCAHO] Assistance
SUGDIS will assist the Pharmacy Department and P&T Committee in meeting Joint Commission requirements by developing adverse drug reaction, drug interaction, quality assurance, and DUE monitoring and reporting programs. In addition, SUGDIS will help prepare for the Joint Commission survey and will be present during the interview upon request.
Pharmacoeconomic and Pharmacoepidemiology Analysis/Research
SUGDIS has access to the above information to assist the subscribes in decision making processes.
For more information pertaining to the Samford University Global Drug Information Service, please contact: