Scottsbluff, NE - Pharmacists at Regional West Medical Center will use National Pharmacy Week, October 19-25, to underscore the many new and vital roles they play in patient care. The evolution has been especially dramatic in recent years as pharmacists have moved beyond compounding and dispensing medications to important members of multidisciplinary patient-care teams.

“Many consumers are not aware that pharmacists play a critical role in preventing medication errors, advising prescribers about the most suitable drug choices, and working directly with patients to ensure they understand how to use their medications safely and effectively,” said Ron Bahnsen, Regional West director of pharmacy services. “Pharmacy Week is a great way to educate the public about how pharmacists can help patients get the most benefit from their medicine,” he said.

Pharmacy Week provides an opportunity for the public to learn more about the scope of pharmacy practice and the role pharmacists, techs and other support staff play in health care.

Hospital and health-system pharmacists take on enhanced patient-care roles because of a number of factors, including the deployment of highly trained, certified technicians and new technologies like robotics that dispense medications.

Pharmacists are experts on the thousands of medications available today, how each one works in the body, and the ways to use each one safely and effectively. Pharmacists who graduate today receive six years of education focused on medication therapy. Many pharmacists practicing in hospitals and health systems also complete post-graduate residency programs. They advise doctors and nurses on the best medications and dosages. They also monitor every patient’s medication therapy and provide quality checks to detect and prevent harmful drug interactions, reactions or mistakes.

Currently, the Regional West inpatient pharmacy is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including holidays. The staff consists of a director, an assistant director, 14 staff pharmacists, a pharmacy buyer, a pharmacy office coordinator/lead technician, 12 inpatient pharmacy technicians, two operating room pharmacy technicians, and three medication reconciliation registered nurses. Community Pharmacy at Regional West, the community-based retail pharmacy, employs three pharmacists and five pharmacy technicians.

Regional West Health Services, with over 1,800 employees, provides comprehensive and innovative health care services for the people and communities of western Nebraska and the neighboring states of Colorado, South Dakota and Wyoming. With over 110 active physicians, 95 percent of whom are board certified or board eligible, plus an additional 25 consulting specialists, we offer care that spans more than 30 medical specialties. Regional West Medical Center, a subsidiary of Regional West Health Services, is accredited by The Joint Commission and is one of three Level II Trauma Centers in the state of Nebraska.