IPPC PHARMACY
PHARMACY WORK ENVIRONMENT
POLICY
Pharmacy Ownership and Management shall maintain a safe, clean tobacco-free environment for all patients and Pharmacy personnel. Additionally, the Pharmacy does not engage in discriminatory practices regarding hiring eligible individuals with disabilities.
PROCEDURE
Pharmacy personnel shall maintain clean work areas in both patient and business or administrative areas.
The Pharmacy has posted Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) contacts and all mandatory posters.
Designated smoking areas, where applicable, shall be located in such a manner as to eliminate the exposure of second-hand smoke to the patient and/or Pharmacy personnel. Said areas shall be positioned so as to minimize potential fire hazards in regard to the Pharmacy work environment.
Trash shall be collected on a daily basis and properly disposed.
If needed, a ladder shall be available to access products on shelving.
Should the Pharmacy employ 15 or more people, individual(s) with disabilities shall be provided with reasonable workplace accommodations.
NOTE: Please click the following link to access the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 for full details.
Hazardous Supplies and Chemicals
The pharmacy has an OSHA Right to Know Training Program (Hazardous Communication). This training is documented in the employees’ Personnel File. The program is reviewed annually with all employees. OSHA information posters are displayed near the employee time clock. All information, documentation and forms are kept in the DMEPOS coordinator’s office in a separate binder.
The pharmacy staff is required to wear gloves when counting oral solids or mixing any compounds.
Protective gear (safety goggles and gloves) is worn for the handling of hazardous liquids.
Proper use and cleaning of all medication packaging equipment is taught to appropriate staff that will be using this equipment. Equipment is cleaned on a daily basis.
All slabs and spatulas are cleaned immediately after compounding.
Hazardous Waste Materials are picked up as needed by Stericycle Services.
OSHA standards are reviewed at the annual employees’ meeting.
Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) shall be maintained for all hazardous supplies and chemicals maintained and used in the Pharmacy or any of its facilities (including warehouses). All employees are to be trained in its use and location.
Pharmacy Owner(s) and Management shall ensure appropriate documentation is available for all hazardous supplies and chemicals to include MSDS and instructions on the use and storage of materials.
Storage:
All Pharmacy personnel shall ensure that supplies and chemicals are properly stored.
Use:
Supplies and chemicals shall be used according to their intended purpose.
Review:
Pharmacy Owner(s) and Management shall work with Pharmacy personnel to ensure any potentially hazardous conditions in the work environments are mitigated.
Hazardous Work Environments
Pharmacy personnel shall notify Pharmacy Owner(s) and Management of any potentially hazardous conditions in the work environment.
Pharmacy Owner(s) and Management shall work with Pharmacy personnel to ensure any potentially hazardous conditions in the work environments are mitigated.
When applicable, Personal Protective Gear shall be provided for Pharmacy personnel. Its proper use is considered mandatory.
Facility’s Physical Environment
The Pharmacy and other areas shall be well lit.
Temperature and ventilation shall be maintained as appropriate for Pharmacy personnel, patients, visitors, prescription drugs and DMEPOS products.
Fire Safety Protocols
The Pharmacy adheres to following Fire Safety Protocols:
Fire Extinguishers shall be tested every two years (or as required by state or local laws).
All employees shall be trained regarding the current operation of the Pharmacy’s fire extinguishers.
Local fire departments may be contacted to assist in the Pharmacy’s fire and safety training.
All exits are clearly marked with “Exit” signs.
EFFECTIVE DATE: 3/15/2011
IPPC PHARMACY
CULTURAL AWARENESS
POLICY
The Pharmacy values diversity and believes that diversity of backgrounds brings a variety of ideas, perspectives and experiences that will create a productive work environment in which talents are fully utilized. All Pharmacy policies, renumeration opportunities hours of work, performance reviews, corrective or other procedures are designed to promote equal opportunity and protection for all Pharmacy personnel. Religious or cultural beliefs and background, or other issues of diversity are recognized, respected and are considered when providing services, supplies and care to beneficiaries. All pharmacy personnel, regardless of position, are expected to comply with this policy and take appropriate measures to ensure that improper conduct with co-workers and beneficiaries does not occur. Appropriate corrective action will be taken against any Pharmacy personnel who violate this policy.
DEFINITION
Diversity is a collection of individuals bringing together varied demographic, cultural, human, intellectual and philosophical differences in a safe and supportive environment. Most characteristics of diversity are interdependent and may even seem to overlap. Diversity describes people, which is an inexact science. Strict characterization, differences and separations, as well as the degree to which some aspects are more valued than others, are the result of cultural influences and an individual’s fixed point-of-view; they are not a part of the definition of diversity, which is naturally all-inclusive.
CHARACTERISTICS
Visible Diversity
Characteristics over which a person has little or no control, but that contribute to assumptions, expectation, opportunities, and identities.
Includes race, ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation, and disability.
Cultural Diversity
Characteristics, over which a person has more control, can impact behaviors, communication, attitudes, and identities.
Includes geographic location, socio/economic status, education, relationship status, parental status, values, beliefs, and faith/religion.
Diversity of Thought or Behavior
Unique characteristics that emerge from visible and environmental diversity and manifest as thoughts, ideas, and behaviors, directly impacts view of self and others and the ability to successfully interact with others.
Includes talents, skills, knowledge, strengths, capabilities, intellect, and emotions, thinking styles, learning styles, communication styles, work styles, habits, hobbies, and appearance.
Organizational Diversity
Characteristics that describe a person’s place within an organization.
Includes length of service, role, position, team, department, business unit, hierarchy, and work location.
EFFECTIVE DATE: 3/25/2012
IPPC PHARMACY
FIRE SAFETY PLAN DESIGN
In the event of a fire and/or the alarms sound, all personnel are to evacuate the building. First floor offices and the first-row tech filling stations will utilize the front entrance to evacuate. The rear of the pharmacy from the Pharmacists’ station back will use the side entrance to evacuate. All employees are to proceed through the parking lot to the designated meeting spot.
Personnel working in the OPUS and AUTOMED section in the rear of the pharmacy are to exit through the fire door leading to the adjacent building and exit to the parking lot and proceed to designated meeting spot.
Second floor personnel are to use the stairs to the side entrance for evacuation and proceed through the parking lot to the designated area.
In the event that the fire is located in the front of the building, all staff should proceed to the side entrance in an orderly fashion and evacuate.
Once all personnel have left the building, they are to proceed to the end of Ginesi Drive at the Cul de Sac and wait there until Fire Officials give the “ALL CLEAR”.