Pharmacy

Our Pharmacy Department is an important part of our healthcare team dedicated to your care and treatment. All pharmacy staff deliver services to provide safe and effective use of medicines.

Our services

We provide medication services to inpatients, outpatients and day-admitted patients at facilities located across the hospital and off-site such as the Brighton Rehabilitation Unit. Our specialty and satellite pharmacy locations at the hospital include:

• Main Redcliffe Pharmacy is located on Ground floor, Main Building (hospital prescription required)
• Cancer Care Services Pharmacy is located on Level 4, Moreton Bay Integrated Care Centre (MBICC)

Medication management

For your safety, we ask that you keep us up to date about all the medications you are taking, why and how often. This includes medications available from health food shops, supermarkets and over the counter in pharmacies such as:

• tablets, capsules or liquids, patches, creams and ointments
• drops and sprays for eyes, nose, ears and mouth
• inhalers and puffers
• injections or implants
• pessaries or suppositories
• alternative medicines (such as herbs and vitamins).

We focus on promoting the safe and effective use of medication through:

• obtaining medication history on admission to hospital with a complete and accurate record of current and recently ceased medications, and matching up these lists with the medications prescribed in hospital
• inpatient medication chart review
• involvement in consultant ward rounds and outpatient clinics
• medication explanation to patients both as inpatients and on discharge
• delivery of medication information to medical staff, nursing staff and other health professionals
• therapeutic medication level monitoring service
• training and ongoing education of staff and undergraduate/postgraduate students.

Our Medicines Advisory Committee (Redcliffe MAC) was established as an expert committee to oversee and advise on all medication-related elements throughout the facility. The committee ensures adherence to the National Standards established by the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care.

Medication before you arrive

When you come to hospital, please bring any medications you are currently taking including non-prescription or herbal medicines and a list of the medications, if you have one. During your stay, our staff will store your medications in a safe place and return them to you before you leave.

Medication during your stay

Our priority is to keep you safe and provide you with the best treatment and care. This means we need to know about all medications you are currently taking and if you have any allergies or bad reactions to medications. Our pharmacists will:

• establish an accurate medication history on admission and match this list up with the medications prescribed in hospital
• work with the healthcare team to select the most appropriate medication for your care
• review your medications regularly during your admission
• offer medication advice to doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals within the hospital
• dispense medicines for you
• explain the purpose, dose, how to use or take your medication and possible side effects
• develop a plan for the use of your medication and when to contact your doctor.

Do I have to pay for medications?

You will not be charged for medications that you receive while staying in hospital.

The doctor may write you a prescription before you leave hospital. Most prescriptions can be used at your local pharmacy as well as the hospital pharmacy. Generally, the hospital pharmacy has a similar Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme co-payment as pharmacies in the community. Please talk to your hospital pharmacist during your admission to see what best suits your circumstances.

Medication when you leave

Our pharmacist will talk to you about the medications you take home. This includes highlighting any new medications started in hospital, any changes, why you are taking the medication, the dosage and duration, how and when to take the medication and possible side effects. A list of your discharge medications will be given to you, and extra copies will be provided to your GP and community pharmacist.

Specialist Outpatient Medication Review Service

Redcliffe Hospital has a dedicated Clinical Pharmacist who can review your medications after you are discharged from hospital or have been reviewed by a specialist doctor in the outpatient department. This clinic is called PREVENT (Pharmacist Review and Evaluation of Existing and New Therapies). This service can be face-to-face or via telehealth. Our pharmacist will:

• arrange an interview date and time
• establish an accurate medication history
• answer any questions about your current medications
• ensure you are taking and storing your medication appropriately to obtain the best effect
• provide tips and strategies to ensure you remember to take your medications at the right time
• identify any potential side effects from your medications
• identify any potential medication interactions
• provide you with a current medication list
• discuss any recommendations with your general practitioner (if required).