WATERBURY HOSPITAL PHARMACY TEAMS HONORED WITH MERITORIOUS TEAM ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

– The pharmacy team at Waterbury Hospital was awarded the Connecticut Society of Health-system Pharmacists (CSHP) Meritorious Team Achievement Award, along with teams at Manchester and Rockville hospitals for “team effort to mitigate the impact of the cyberattack on patient care.”

Also being honored with the Paul G. Pierpaoli Award was Gary Thompson, RPh a CSHP member of the highest integrity who best exemplifies the profession of pharmacy through significant contributions, of a long-term nature, to the practice of pharmacy in Connecticut and the development of high standards of pharmacy practice.

In accepting the award for his team, Pharmacy Director Hani Hamid, PharmD, MBA stated:

“When the cyberattack hit, we came together as a team, each member contributing his or her unique strengths to develop workflows that prioritized patient safety and continuity of care.

Our role was crucial in reducing medication errors and ensuring that nurses and physicians could access pharmacists for accurate resources and documentation despite system disruptions. By finding creative solutions, double-checking each step, and maintaining close communication with the care team, we ensured patients received accurately dosed medications while minimizing risks, such as avoiding duplicate therapies and reducing interactions. This reinforced the critical role of pharmacy in patient outcomes.”

Pharmacy teams at Waterbury Hospital work around the clock to coordinate pharmaceutical care to patients in the hospital. Pharmacists are an integral part of a patient’s medical care team providing real-time medication information, assessing each prescription for accuracy, clinical appropriateness, and potential medication interactions.

About Waterbury HEALTH

Waterbury HEALTH, which includes Waterbury Hospital, Alliance Medical Group, Cardiology Associates of Greater Waterbury, VNA Health at Home and Access Rehab Centers, Greater Waterbury Imaging Center, offers comprehensive healthcare services including primary care, emergency and acute care, and home healthcare. Serving Waterbury and eleven surrounding communities in Western Connecticut, Waterbury HEALTH is a member of Prospect Medical Holdings, Inc., a national family of hospitals and healthcare networks. For more information about Waterbury HEALTH visit: https://www.wtbyhealth.org/.

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