A couple of weeks ago I went to a Hospitals for Healthy Environment Workshop for EPA region 7. This was extremely informative. Just a word of caution, the whole RCRA (hazardous waste) program is NOT JUST A PHARMACY ISSUE. It is a whole hospital issue. It takes having a multi department committee, a plan, education and implementation. Our state health & environment department now has regulations on a disc as well as the EPA has a disc. I have learned a lot. By the way, as the Pharmacy Buyer, I am the co-chair of our committee here at the hospital with the Environmental Care Manager.

I really think that we need to hear more about these topics at next years PPO conference. JCAHO will most likely have a patient safety goal in 2009.

Name of Facility: St. Francis health Center

City, State: Acute

Years as a Buyer: 4+ in Pharmacy 25 in retail hard goods