Revising a drug information center quality assurance program to conform to Joint Commission standards

Revisions in the quality assurance (QA) program for a drug information center (DIC) at a large community teaching hospital are described. The initial QA program, implemented in 1984, was based on 25 specific criteria and on the periodic evaluation process that was stressed by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospitals at that time. In 1985 the hospital was surveyed for reaccreditation, and the Joint Commission stressed a new approach to QA that replaced periodic evaluation with an ongoing, planned process. Accordingly, the 25 specific QA criteria were replaced with 10 general indicators. Since 1985 the Joint Commission has shifted its focus to patient outcomes. The 10 general criteria have now been reduced to two specific criteria: the total number of questions received by the DIC staff and the percentage of responses that are appropriate. Drug information responses given by the DIC pharmacist as well as by the frontline pharmacists are monitored. As Joint Commission requirements for QA programs evolve, the QA program for this DIC is revised to ensure that it always meets the current standards.