ECN U.S. supports the first visit of ASHP and the accreditation expenses
To assert its leadership in clinical pharmacy field and in pharmacy education, Hospital 57357 received accreditation from ASHP. 57357 is the first Hospital in Africa to receive ASHP accreditation for the IPPR program.
The IPPR program is a one-year professional training residency program designed to train and develop advanced skills in pharmacy practice, training and education while increasing the resident’s knowledge base through direct exposure. Together with the Pharm D program, they are offered by 57357 because they are considered important milestones on the pharmacist’s career path. Through the IPPR program, the pharmacist is exposed to working in the seven main required competency areas in a sequence and according to a process that integrates standard goals, continuous follow up and personal and pharmaceutical skills evaluation. Accordingly, the program aims to prepare a pharmacist with the necessary qualifications to take care of the patients, filling the gap between theory and practice for new graduates. 57357 is also offering adherents to the program by an “infectious diseases” course for free.
Chatting with Dr. Sherif Kamal, head of 57357’s clinical pharmacy department, he shared: earning ASHP accreditation for the IPPR training program is considered a milestone in the history of pharmacy education in Egypt and a source of pride for 57357. When we decided to start the training, a committee from the ASHP visited the Hospital and issued a report about the Hospital’s eligibility to start the program which actually took place in January 2018. After receiving JCI accreditation, with no comments about the pharmacy, the committee visited the Hospital again and issued a report indicating that 57357’s pharmacy department is equipped with human and logistic capabilities to conduct successfully the IPPR program. The first cohort which consisted of 10 pharmacists graduated in February 2019 and will receive graduation certificates after completing the graduation project. Currently the Hospital is planning along with ASHP to start courses for the second cohort of 10 more pharmacists. In collaboration with ASHP, a second training year is planned to prepare specialized pharmacists to obtain a consultant degree after working in their specialty for five years.
Dr. Sali Fekri, 57357’s IPPR program coordinator, revealed that the pharmacy earned the accreditation after being audited for the following:
- Pharmaceutical practices in 57357
- The organization and the application of the IPPR program
- Revising the standard goals of the American Association and their endorsement by the graduates
In cooperation with Colorado University, 57357 prepared 25 cadres to carry out the training for the IPPR program adherents. It is noteworthy that the training program with Colorado University includes a mentorship program throughout the year.
Dr. Kamal shared that Hospital 57357 is leading the change in the pharmacists’ education field in Egypt since pharmaceutical patient care is the guaranty of giving patients the right medication with the right doses in the right timing. The pharmacist is trained to work in a team that delivers patient-centered care and is responsible for testing the drug efficacy and effect on the patient, avoiding side effects to obtain best results of medication. 57357’s department of pharmaceutical services was recently upgraded to deliver the highest standards in medication preparation. “We express our gratitude to the Egyptian Cancer network, ECN-USA for supporting the first visit of ASHP and the accreditation expenses,” Dr. Kamal added.
