Joan Williams, CPhT, Exemplary, Detailed, Medication History!

I want to recognize the work that Joan Williams, Certified Pharmacy Tech, (CPhT) is doing with Medication History review in the ED at Carilion Giles Community Hospital.

Joan identified a potentially significant side effect for a medication that was not on the patient’s home medication list.  When reviewing the medications with the patient, and in EPIC, the medication was discovered as an outpatient treatment that wasn’t considered a daily medication and was left off the reconciliation previously.   Since Joan was unfamiliar with the medication, she looked it up in Lexicomp and realized that the side effect profile of the drug seemed like a potential cause for why the patient was being seen in the ED, and she notified the physician.

The knowledge and skill set that a pharmacy tech has with medication history review is invaluable for patient and medication safety.  Thank you, Joan, for your exemplary commitment and curiosity when taking care of our patients!