Critical Care Unit Pharmacy Services is a required, four week learning experience at Kenmore Mercy Hospital (KMH). The Intensive Care Unit (ICU) is a 14 bed unit that cares for a mix of medical, surgical, and neurocritical care patients. Attending physicians, advance practice providers (APPs), consultants, and occasional medical residents are responsible for caring for our critical care patients. The critical care pharmacist works closely with nurses, providers, dieticians, and respiratory therapists to provide comprehensive medication management services to our patients. Clinical pharmacy services within the ICU include antibiotic stewardship, renal and hepatic dosing adjustments, pharmacokinetic consultations, sedation management, and assisting in appropriate medication selection for patients.
Medication ADR and error reporting involving our critical care patients will also be expected by the resident. The pharmacy resident will spend at minimum four weeks in the ICU, and will be responsible for identifying and resolving medication therapy issues for patients using evidence based medicine principles. The resident will work towards assuming the clinical pharmacist's role in caring for patients in the unit by participating in interdisciplinary rounds. Good communication, interpersonal skills, and appropriate literature evaluation are vital to succeed in this experience.