Yale New Haven Hospital earns 2014 Award for Excellence in Medication-Use Safety

New Haven , CT (Dec. 8, 2014) — Yale New Haven Hospital (YNHH) has been named recipient of the 2014 Award for Excellence in Medication-Use Safety by the ASHP (American Society of Hospital Pharmacists) Research and Education Foundation.

The award, sponsored by the Cardinal Health Foundation, is the only national honor that recognizes a pharmacist-led interprofessional team for implementing significant institution-wide improvements in medication safety.
At a ceremony held during the 2014 ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting in Anaheim, California, Yale New Haven Hospital received $50,000 to further promote medication-use safety.

"Yale New Haven Hospital tackled tough challenges that confront every hospital and health system in the United States," said Stephen J. Allen, ASHP Foundation CEO and executive vice president. "In administering this awards program, the ASHP Foundation seeks to share the success stories of the recipient and finalists so health professionals and health care executives across the country can benefit and learn from their experiences. The primary goal of this program is to provide opportunities for others to improve the quality and safety of medication management."

YNHH was selected based upon Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale New Haven's acquiring nine oncology physician practices and integrating them into its cancer network. Pharmacy leadership—in collaboration with nursing, medical staff and the hospital's community and government relations developed an innovative ‘telepharmacy' model to meet all regulatory requirements and provide safe, high-quality and efficient patient care. As part of a provider-based organization, the oncology practices needed to provide the same level of patient care, quality, safety and regulatory compliance as the main health system The system enabled pharmacists to provide clinical and patient care activities that improved the patient experience. This technology also allowed for flexible pharmacist staffing since the telepharmacy model can be quickly deployed at any location.

"The telepharmacy project succeeded because of the comprehensive work of a pharmacy-led interprofessional team," said Lori Lee, executive director, YNHHS pharmacy services. "The project showed how technology can enable advanced pharmacist clinical support for safe and effective cancer medication treatments for our patients. This innovative practice model advances the goal of "Keeping Cancer Care Close to Home" while providing patients with high-quality and exceptional patient care in all Smilow locations throughout the state. The pilot's success led to approval of a change to Connecticut State Drug Law on May 14, 2012, authorizing the telepharmacy model to be used broadly in the state."