Pharmacy and Nursing Integration in Healthcare Systems: The Supporting Role of Laboratory and Operations Technicians

Abstract

The increasing complexity of healthcare infrastructure requires a wide range of proper actions and articulations to ensure system efficiency and effectiveness. In primary care, hospitalization, emergency services, laboratory, and specific operations, activities are strict and demanding. Any installation would have all mandatory specialties, but regulations and conditions often comply with a smaller ensemble of full-time, qualified professionals. Therefore, support in this concerted effort is crucial and often underexposed. Recently, the role of radiopharmacy and radiopharmaceutical scientists as key figures in the development and implementation of personalized molecular imaging and treatment procedures has been emphasized. The correct operation of these areas in the healthcare system involves necessary operational support at several levels, from clean and well-supplied operating rooms to timely necessary images.
The broad technological development and the delicate operational details in these areas depend on professionals dedicated to these technical functions. The healthcare process and the necessary integration in this demanding teamwork, as required by appropriate procedures, have led some to design integrated services, such as health clinics and corporate structures. We will demonstrate in some detail the necessary functions, the typical qualifications, and the tasks of pharmacy and nursing integration in the areas they support, and propose an integration model with pharmacy and nursing technicians that may facilitate and streamline the process for the benefit of the patients.