The Pediatric/Neonatal rotation provides an opportunity for the resident to gain a basic working knowledge base of pediatric drug therapy and disease states. The resident will participate in provision of comprehensive clinical pharmacy services to patients in the Neonatal Care Units, the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) and General Pediatric wards. These services are under the direction of attending physicians from either the Department of Pediatrics or the Division of Neonatal Medicine of the Department of Pediatrics.

Objectives for the rotation will be provided prior to the beginning of the rotation and are based on the resident's previous background in pediatrics. Residents meet with the preceptor or the preceptor's designee three to four times a week to discuss cases; the resident also participates in pediatric rounds and Pharmacy Rounds. Residents attend pediatric morning report Monday through Friday, as well as selected pediatric conferences and Department of Pediatrics Grand Rounds.

The responsibilities on the Pediatric/Neonatal rotation include clinical practice (patient care), educational and quality assurance activities. Specific activities under each of these headings are listed below.

Clinical Practice Activities

The resident will provide consultation to physicians, nurses and other healthcare providers regarding pharmacotherapeutics, pharmacokinetics and pharmaceutics. Drug information and poison/overdose management information will be provided as needed for patient care. The resident will assist with drug therapy management with particular emphasis on monitoring drug therapy for efficacy and safety.

Educational Activities

Pharmacy residents will provide educational opportunities for the medical staff, residents, nurses and students through daily informal educational encounters and by participating in structured conferences and in-services. Instruction for home therapy (e.g., antibiotics, aerosol preparations) will also be provided by the pharmacy resident.

Quality Assurance

The resident will participate in on-going prospective quality assurance activities (e.g. medication utilization evaluation) focused on pediatric and neonatal drug use.