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| FOR HOSPITALS CONSIDERING PHARMACY MANAGEMENT AND OUTSOURCING |
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 Why does a hospital outsource the Pharmacy to PharmaCare Services?
 What Results Can the Hospital Expect By Outsourcing the Pharmacy?
What type of contract models does PharmaCare Services offer?
 How long does a contract last?
Can we cancel our contract if we aren't satisfied?
Does PharmaCare Services offer risk sharing arrangements?
Does PharmaCare Services Provide Pharmacy Automation?
Will PharmaCare Services retain the hospital's current pharmacy staff?
Will the salaries and benefits change if we outsource pharmacy?
Do you provide Interim pharmacy staff coverage?
Do you recruit pharmacy staff if we lose personnel or need recruiting assistance?
Does PharmaCare Services have "start-up" experience? |
| Why does a hospital outsource the Pharmacy to PharmaCare Services? |
| Organizations outsource pharmacy services usually when guided by a careful assessment of their capabilities of providing these services themselves, when unsuccessful in using their own resources to provide the services required, when influenced by a consultant, and when internal assessment shows that the total costs of pharmacy services continues to escalate in an uncontrolled manner. |
| What Results Can the Hospital Expect By Outsourcing the Pharmacy? |
| A hospital pharmacy management company can resolve operational inefficiencies by improving medication distribution systems, designing and implementing new pharmacy workflow patterns, reducing medication dispensing and administration errors, and improving computer and information systems. Management companies also have the personnel and expertise to efficiently make changes without interrupting services. The management company can assist the hospital by staffing hard-to-fill positions, thus allowing the organization to reach optimal staffing levels for achieving productivity targets. Management companies also have the expertise to reduce and maintain the cost of pharmacy's services. They shift the cost of employees, benefits, and liabilities to themselves. They also increase the hospital's financial operating margin by purchasing drugs at reduced prices due to volume discounting, improving billing accuracy, reducing drug diversion and pilferage, improving the drug formulary system and by implementing drug inventory management procedures that have been tested. They can also improve the level of pharmaceutical care provided to patients as well as support provided to medical and nursing staff. The Pharmacy management company can also resolve regulatory and accreditation problems relating to pharmacy services and ensure continuing compliance with legal and accreditation rules and regulations. |
| What type of pharmacy management contracts does PharmaCare Services offer? |
PharmaCare Services offers Full-Service, Management and Consulting contract arrangements.
Full-Service contracts include operation and clinical management of the department with the Director and pharmacy staff employed by PharmaCare Services. The inventory is owned by PharmaCare Services and the purchasing is assumed by PharmaCare Services' Purchasing Division.
Management contracts include operation and clinical management of the department with, minimally, the Director of Pharmacy employed by PharmaCare Service. Other Pharmacy Staff may or may not be employed by PharmaCare Services depending on the hospital's request. The hospital retains ownership of the pharmacy inventory but receives support from PharmaCare Services' Purchasing Division to enhance the process and reduce costs.
A Consulting contract provides pharmacy services for a limited time period to perform operational and clinical assessments, to implement specific processes and procedures or for projects such as JCAHO survey preparation or specific pharmacy projects at the client's request. |
| How long does a contract last? |
| Full-Service and Management contracts are typically three-year terms. Consulting contracts are usually one-year terms. Short-term Consulting Services such as Assessments & Recommendations are also available and are charged on a per project basis. |
| Can we cancel our contract if we aren't satisfied? |
| Yes. All Contractual Agreements with PharmaCare Services contain a 60-day out clause for no cause. We believe that a pharmacy management outsourcing arrangement is successful only when the relationship is collaborative and both parties benefit. If the hospital becomes dissatisfied for any reason, there is no obligation to continue. |
| Does PharmaCare Services Offer Risk Sharing Arrangements? |
| Yes. Risk Sharing is an option with a Full Service contract. Following the first 12 months of operation, PharmaCare Services and the hospital have the option to identify operational and clinical initiatives where risk sharing may be appropriate and beneficial to all parties. An example of risk sharing may be both parties share equally in savings when the average pharmacy cost per adjusted patient day is lowered by "x" amount from the previous year. |
| Does PharmaCare Services Provide Pharmacy Automation? |
| Yes. PharmaCare Services has a contractual arrangement with Med-Dispense, a pharmacy automation vendor. Through preferential pricing with the vendor we pass the cost savings on to hospitals who lease or purchase automation. |
| Will PharmaCare Services retain the hospital's current pharmacy staff? |
| PharmaCare Services prefers to maintain the hospital's pharmacy staff. Experience has proven that, with dedicated leadership, management oversight and clinical support, the staff will become more productive and stable resulting in operational and financial stability. Ultimately the hospital's quality of pharmaceutical service to patients improves. |
| Will the salaries and benefits change if we outsource pharmacy? |
| When a hospital requests services, PharmaCare Services reviews the existing pharmacy staffing levels, compensation and benefits. From that analysis we make recommendations. No adjustments or changes are made to salary and benefits without the involvement and approval of the hospital. |
| Will you provide Interim pharmacy staff for coverage? |
| Yes. Full service and management contracts are structured so that PharmaCare Services assumes the responsibility of providing interim pharmacy managers, interim staff pharmacists and/or interim technicians in the absence of employees whether for an unexpected illness, vacation, general coverage or while recruiting for a particular position. For hospitals not contracted for full service or management, PharmaCare Staffing Services interim staffing division provides staff as needed. |
| Will PharmaCare Services recruit pharmacy staff if we lose personnel or need recruiting assistance? |
| Yes. PharmaCare Services employs a full-time recruiter. Unlike headhunters and executive search firms, PharmaCare Services Permanent Placement focuses on qualified candidates that are a "good fit" for your hospital and community. Permanent Placement recruiting services are available for a flat fee rather than a percentage of the compensation that is typically charged by head hunters. To take advantage of PharmaCare Services' permanent placement services contact loris@PharmaCareservices.com |
| Does PharmaCare Services have "startup" experience? |
| PharmaCare Services has extensive experience with new / startup pharmacies. From designing the pharmacy layout to ensuring compliance for Pharmacy Board Inspection, PharmaCare Services has the ability to manage the pharmacy setup from start to finish. |