Pharmacy Department

Head of Department

Maire Murray

Introduction

The pharmacy department provides a range of pharmaceutical services to patients and staff in St. Michael’s hospital.

Contact Details  

Dispensary:
Procurement, storage and supply of medications, IV fluids, dressings and feeds.
Extemporaneous compounding (manufacture) of medications as needed.
Staff prescription service

Ward distribution:
‘Top-up’ service provided by Pharmacy Technicians. A stock list of medicines is devised for each clinical area and the technicians visit the wards regularly to top-up ward stock levels to the required quantities. This saves nursing time on ordering and ensures that frequently used items are readily available. Pharmacists also monitor antibiotic usage in the hospital.

Clinical service:
Pharmacists monitor and review prescriptions daily, check for appropriate drug, dose and frequency, and for potential interactions. Non-stock drugs are supplied daily on an individual basis for patients.

Drug Information service:
Any medication-related queries from any healthcare personnel are welcomed. Contact ward pharmacist, or the pharmacy department at the numbers above.

Patient counselling:
Pharmacists provide medication counselling to pulmonary rehab patients and will give written and/ or verbal counselling on medication to any patient, on request.

Education:
Pharmacists give lectures/ presentations etc. to healthcare personnel on medication-related topics. (SMH is a teaching hospital affiliated to UCD) and are on a number of multi-disciplinary committees