Look Who it Was Random video

A Pharmacist on the Floor

567 views · Published 17 November 2014 · 1:46 · Indexed 6 November 2026

Channel: Lee Health · 2014 · Science & Technology

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It wasn’t too long ago that patients could leave the hospital without ever meeting a critical member of their health care team: the pharmacist. Tucked away from the action, they dispensed the meds doctors prescribed and nurses administered. But times have changed.

“The role of the pharmacist is changing. Before, we used to have the majority of our pharmacists working in a central location within the hospital. And now we’re advancing practice to where the hospital pharmacist is out on the floors in a decentralized unit and are able to work hand-in-hand with the nurses and physicians in order to optimize patient outcomes,” says Ryan Hire, who is a pharmacist with Lee Memorial Health System. 

Medication mix-ups are a major health concern. When people don’t understand or follow instructions, bad things can happen.

“I think a big reason for non-adherence to medication regimens for patients is that they don't understand,” says Hire. 

So pharmacists are starting to offer room service, to answer common questions about things like side effects, interactions with other drugs, how and when medications should be taken. Information no patient should leave without.

“They’re just told to take a medication because it’s good for them, but they don't have a vested interest in why they’re taking that medication, they don't understand how important it is for them to take that medication.  And what negative effects could occur if they do not take that medication. So providing the education is important so that they understand the risks that they are exposed to if they do not take the medication properly,” says Hire. 

A new, enhanced role for the hospital pharmacist is giving patients a better handle on their health. 

View More Health Matters video segments at leememorial.org/healthmatters/

Lee Memorial Health System in Fort Myers, FL is the largest network of medical care facilities in Southwest Florida and is highly respected for its expertise, innovation and quality of care. For nearly a century, we’ve been providing our community with everything from primary care treatment to highly specialized care services and robotic assisted surgeries.

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