The APhA Foundation's Quality Center is dedicated to supporting and fostering research that improves quality in medication use, in particular, how the pharmacist can be used as a solution to managing the complex risks associated with medication use.
Quality is the bedrock upon which good pharmaceutical care is built. In assessing the outcome of health care services, a pharmacy's practice can be evaluated by measuring the quality of the processes used in delivering pharmaceutical care services. For example, a routine procedure in place to avoid serious adverse events from medication can be assessed.
The Quality Center has worked in a number of areas to promote its interest in promoting quality in health care through the medication use process and the manner in which the patient participates in his or her own care.
The Quality Center actively participates in the following areas:
promote effective error reporting models;
develop solutions to medication errors;
support integrated healthcare delivery and improved use of medications by consumers;
reduce overuse and underuse of medications; and
provide resources for patients, pharmacists and providers about safe use of medications.
Today, the Quality Center sponsors the Pinnacle Awards, an annual award recognition program that recognizes contributions to health care quality through the medication use process.
The Quality Center was established in 1998 with support from Wyeth.
Quality Center
