Is there a need for improved pharmacy services to the operating theatre?

SUMMARY A study to assess the control and handling of drugs within an operating theatre complex (10 theatres) of an 850–bed hospital, has revealed the presence of unusable medication and thus highlighted the need for improved pharmacy services. The aims and objectives of the pharmacy department to enhance such services included improvement of drug control of stock medication and the introduction of clinical pharmacy services within the operating theatre. To undertake this, three systems were evaluated with reference to systems already in use in the U.S.A. Operating theatre visits by a clinical pharmacist, coupled with the expansion of the existing drug distribution service, were identified as the most cost–effective methods that would allow the objectives to be met. Consequently, this has now been implemented within the operating theatre complex.