“FINAL REQUIREMENT IN

PHARMACY INFORMATICS”
(LABORATORY)

SUBMITTED BY: ANGELINE KARYLLE C. MEJIA, BS-PHARMACY

SUBMITTED TO: JAY-AR S. NIEBLA, Faculty, VMUF-CICS

1. WHAT IS PHARMACY INFORMATICS?

 The American Society of Health-Systems Pharmacy (ASHP) formally defines it

as “the use and integration of data, information, knowledge, technology, and automation

in the medication-use process for the purpose of improving health outcomes.” 2 In more

practical terms, pharmacy informatics is the use of electronic health data to support safe

and effective medication use. Pharmacy informatics can include various aspects of

medication management, from a drug utilization review, to the use of barcoding

technology during product dispensing, to the development of alert systems to improve

prescribing and dispensing of medications. Pharmacy informatics involves broad

collaboration between pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, physicians, nurses,

information technology personnel, and other health care professionals. As opportunities in

pharmacy informatics develop, so do the duties and responsibilities of pharmacists and

pharmacy technicians related to its provision. Health information systems already engage

pharmacists and pharmacy technicians across a variety of health care settings, including

e-prescribing, computerized prescriber order entry (CPOE), electronic medical records

(EMRs), electronic health records (EHRs), bar code dispensing and administration

systems (BCMAs), automated dispensing cabinets (ADCs), controlled substance or

prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) databases, and immunization registries.

2. WHAT ARE THE 3 COMPONENTS OF WORKING MODEL FOR

PHARMACY INFORMATICS? DEFINE EACH COMPONENT

Before we consider the role of the pharmacy technician in the field of pharmacy

informatics, it is important to first understand the variety of technologies that pharmacists and

pharmacy technicians utilize on a routine basis within the practice of pharmacy. Such

technologies are utilized to achieve goals that may be classified into 3 general categories:
 Efficacy- quality of patient outcomes

 Efficiency- productivity of pharmacy services team

 Safety- error prevention

3. WHAT ARE THE CHANGES EXPECTED TO RESULT FROM

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, ESPECIALLY IN THE FIELD OF

PHARMACY?

The pharmacy industry has changed drastically over the past decade and

technological advances are a major reason why. In the past decade alone, we’ve seen a

dramatic increase in the number of pharmacy technology advancements as pharmacy

IT becomes increasingly central to how drugs are administered to patients. One of the key

ways in which technology has positively impacted pharmacy is by helping to minimize

preventable medication errors and therefore, increasing the likelihood of successful

patient outcomes.

4. WHY WE SHOULD HAVE COMPASSION FOR THOSE LESS

KNOWLEDGEABLE ABOUT TECHNOLOGY?

Technology will change healthcare over the next decade in ways that we can only

begin to imagine today. What it means to care for patients is being transformed, along

with expectations about how, where and from whom people access the services that they

need. As the pace of change accelerates the opportunities will be tremendous, but the

journey ahead will be complex and no part of the healthcare sector will be left untouched.
 Our readiness to embrace this transformation – and our ability to translate technology

opportunities into sustainable solutions to our most pressing issues in healthcare – will be

the central challenge for practitioners, providers and policymakers alike. As patients put

new demands on the system, institutions will need to reinvent themselves and clinicians

will need to adapt to changing roles in how they care for their patients. And with much of

the momentum coming from outside traditional healthcare players, the system will need

to learn to work alongside a new wave of health technology and consumer organizations

that are emerging to help people manage their care.

5. WHAT ARE THE IMPORTANT THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN

CHOOSING INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY TO SUPPORT NEEDS

IN PHARMACY PRACTICE?

According to the Office of the National Coordinator, HIT must be knowledgeable

in the application of information processing involving both computer hardware and

software that deals with the storage, retrieval, sharing, and use of health care information,

data, and knowledge for communication and decision making. The role of information

technology in pharmacy practice is dynamic and not likely to lose relevance in the

coming years. To some degree, pharmacists are interested in information technology

because we can envision it increasing efficiency in our daily tasks and improving our

access to vital information. However, federal legislation is also driving adoption of

Health Information Technology (HIT) for its potential impact on patient safety.
6. WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT STRATEGIES TO STORE AND

KEEP IMPORTANT DATA OR INFORMATION IN USING

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, ESPECIALLY IN THE FIELD OF

HEALTH?

Practices often lack basic security policies and procedures, allow staff members to

share passwords, and fail to turn on or properly configure the security features of their

electronic health record (EHR) systems. In addition, many practices fail to perform

security risk assessments, despite a requirement to do so under the Health Insurance

Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Here are some strategies that experts say

can help practices defend their protected health information (PHI) and their businesses

from cyber criminals; Do a security risk assessment, Control system access, Don’t store

data on user devices, Encrypt data, and Back up data off site.

7. WHAT ARE THE BASIC CONCEPTS OF NETWORK/INTERNET?

DEFINE EACH CONCEPT.

 Switches

Switches are the foundation of most business networks. A switch acts as a

controller, connecting computers, printers, and servers to a network in a building or a

campus.

Switches allow devices on your network to communicate with each other, as well as with

other networks, creating a network of shared resources. Through information sharing and

resource allocation, switches save money and increase productivity.

  Routers

Routers connect multiple networks together. They also connect computers on

those networks to the Internet. Routers enable all networked computers to share a single

Internet connection, which saves money. A router acts a dispatcher. It analyzes data being

sent across a network, chooses the best route for data to travel, and sends it on its way.

Routers connect your business to the world, protect information from security threats, and

can even decide which computers receive priority over others. Beyond those basic

networking functions, routers come with additional features to make networking easier or

more secure. Depending on your needs, for example, you can choose a router with a

firewall, a virtual private network (VPN), or an Internet Protocol (IP) communications

system.

 Access points

Allows devices to connect to the wireless network without cables. A wireless

network makes it easy to bring new devices online and provides flexible support to

mobile workers.An access point acts like an amplifier for your network. While a router

provides the bandwidth, an access point extends that bandwidth so that the network can

support many devices, and those devices can access the network from farther away.But

an access point does more than simply extend Wi-Fi. It can also give useful data about

the devices on the network, provide proactive security, and serve many other practical

purposes.
8. WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT COMPONENTS TO CONSIDER IN

INFORMATION ASSURANCE?

 Integrity

Involves assurance that all information systems are protected and not tampered

with. IA aims to maintain integrity through means such as anti-virus software

on all computer system, and ensuring all staff with access to know how to

appropriately use their systems to minimize malware, or viruses entering

information systems.

 Availability

Simply means those who need access to information, are allowed to access it.

Information should be available to only those who are aware of the risks associated

with information systems. 

 Authentication

Involves ensuring those who have access to information, are who they say they

are. Ways of improving authentication involve methods such as two-factor

authentication, strong passwords, bio-metrics and other devices. Authentication

may also be used to not only identify users, but also other devices. 

 Confidentiality
 IA involves the confidentiality of information, meaning only those with

authorization may view certain data. This step is closely mirrored by the six data

processing principles of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), where

by personal data must be processed in a secure manner "using appropriate

technical and oganizational measures" ("integrity and confidentiality").

 Nonrepudiation

The final pillar simply means someone with access to your organizations

information system cannot deny having completed an action within the system, as

there should be methods in place to prove that they did make said action.

REFERENCES:

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5990205/

2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5990205/

3. https://www.healthcareis.com/blog/three-ways-technology-has-changed-pharmacy

4. http://www.ams-inc.on.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Compassion-in-a-Tech-

World.pdf

5. https://www.pharmacytimes.com/view/the-role-of-information-technology-in-

advancing-pharmacy-practice-models-to-improve-6patient-safety

6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK22862/

7. https://www.cisco.com/c/en_sg/solutions/small-business/resource-

center/networking/networking-basics.html
8. https://www.itgovernanceusa.com/information/information-assurance