ASHP Standard for Certification as a Center of Excellence in Medication-Use Safety and Pharmacy Practice

Extract

Approved by the ASHP Board of Directors on May 25, 2021.

Introduction

The ASHP Standard for Certification as a Center of Excellence in Medication-Use Safety and Pharmacy Practice reflects contemporary best practices for hospital and health-system pharmacy practice. The certification process used by healthcare and other organizations worldwide indicates that an institution has met predetermined criteria through verification. Assessment of an organization’s level of performance in relation to established standards allows the opportunity for implementation of ways to improve continuously.

The need for recognition of innovative, high-quality, and safe and effective health-system pharmacy services has led the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) to develop a new certification process to allow health systems to differentiate themselves from others through excellence in medication-use safety and pharmacy practice. In this regard, this Standard embodies the processes of continuous quality improvement (CQI). This voluntary certification process is offered to health-system pharmacy departments with an interest not only in improving patient care and pharmacy services but also in earning this formal recognition of the value provided to their patients and their health system. Pharmacy departments that have achieved excellence, apply for, and successfully complete a rigorous formal certification process will be designated an “ASHP Certified Center of Excellence in Medication-Use Safety and Pharmacy Practice.”